become overly concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become overly concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone who is excessively worried or anxious about a particular issue or situation. Example: "She tends to become overly concerned about her children's safety, even when they are just playing in the backyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Some industry insiders say the awards have become overly concerned with the promotion potential and star power of the television show rather than simply with honoring outstanding work.

The New York Times

Gilbert said that a significant percentage of his income goes directly to the local elders, who in turn make sure that no other Haitian authorities become overly concerned with the business on le Tortue.

The New York Times - Magazine

And persons who are constantly made to dwell on reward and punishment are likely to become overly concerned with their own "self-good and private interest," which must "insensibly diminish the affections towards public good or the interest of society and introduce a certain narrowness of spirit" (C 184).

SEP

Don't become overly concerned and try to leave your country.

WikiHow

In a hearing before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, she said the agency had become overly concerned about avoiding lawsuits, and as a result did not police the industry as effectively as it could have.

The New York Times - Health

The RSS was founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a Hindu ideologue who had felt the Indian National Congress Party had become overly concerned with catering to Muslims, according to the book RSS: A Vision in Action.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

My mother died when I was ten, and he became overly concerned about my welfare.

The New Yorker

It said UN staff became overly concerned with whether the allegations had been improperly leaked to the French by Kompass, and focused on protocols rather than action.

The Guardian

UN staff, it is said, became overly concerned with whether the allegations had been improperly leaked to French authorities and focused on protocols rather than action.

The Guardian

My mother died when I was ten, and he became overly concerned about my… After India and China, Indonesia was the biggest new nation-state to emerge in the mid-twentieth century.

The New Yorker

The panel report said UN staff became overly concerned with whether the allegations had been improperly leaked to French authorities by Kompass and focused on protocols rather than action.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become overly concerned", ensure the context clarifies what is causing the excessive concern. For instance, "Employees can "become overly concerned" about job security during economic downturns".

Common error

Avoid using "become overly concerned" when a more moderate expression of worry is appropriate. For example, instead of saying, "He became overly concerned about a minor cough", consider "He was slightly worried about a minor cough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become overly concerned" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of developing an excessive level of worry or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show its use in describing reactions to events or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become overly concerned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the action of developing excessive worry or anxiety. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear what triggers the excessive concern and avoid using it when a more moderate expression of worry is appropriate. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility in describing reactions to a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow excessively worried

Emphasizes the gradual nature and intensity of the worry.

develop undue anxiety

Highlights the inappropriate or disproportionate level of anxiety.

start worrying excessively

Focuses on the commencement and degree of worry.

get unnecessarily anxious

Conveys the avoidable nature of the anxiety.

becoming excessively apprehensive

Indicates a heightened state of unease or fear.

being too preoccupied with worries

Highlights the extent to which one's thoughts are dominated by concerns.

dwelling too much on anxieties

Emphasizes the act of lingering on anxious thoughts.

exhibiting excessive worry

Focuses on the outward display of concern.

displaying unwarranted apprehension

Highlights the lack of justification for the anxiety.

taking anxieties too seriously

Suggests an overemphasis on the importance or impact of worries.

FAQs

How can I use "become overly concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "become overly concerned" to describe someone who is excessively worried about something. For example, "She might "become overly concerned" about her children's safety".

What are some alternatives to "become overly concerned"?

Some alternatives include "grow excessively worried", "develop undue anxiety", or "start worrying excessively".

Is it grammatically correct to say "become overly concerned"?

Yes, "become overly concerned" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, according to Ludwig.

What's the difference between "become concerned" and "become overly concerned"?

"Become concerned" indicates a general state of worry, while "become overly concerned" implies a level of worry that is excessive or disproportionate to the situation.