become worried

USAGE SUMMARY

"become worried" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone starts to feel worried about something, usually as a result of something they did or experienced. For example: After failing the test, he started to become worried about his grade in the class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People may also become worried about being overwhelmed or burned out by compassion for many sufferers.

University of California, Berkeley

But dealers have also become worried about the counterparty risks posed by their peers.

The Economist

I think the difference is that you become worried about not disappointing people.

The Guardian

The band's management had become worried about Goodrich's oversight of their financial affairs in late 2009.

The Guardian - Music

Some Republicans have become worried that such a torrent of outside spending may reduce the influence of political parties.

The Economist

Some Democrats have become worried about what they consider Obama's lack of boldness in promoting employment and economic growth.

The Washington Post

"I would have become worried about its future by next year unless there was some dramatic turnaround".

The New York Times

This is when the PRs must have become worried, for the questions gradually switched from the flattering to the political.

The Guardian - Music

More Americans have become worried about global warming (Americans: from 51% in March to 59% in October, +8 points; American Catholics: from 53% to 64%, +11 points).

Yale University

In that situation we are back as hunter gatherers and become preoccupied by both our place in the pecking order and also become worried sexually," he says.

Independent

This usually bright and cheerful chap had become worried and withdrawn.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become worried" to describe a gradual onset of concern, rather than a sudden, acute episode of fear. For instance, "He began to become worried as the deadline approached."

Common error

While "become worried" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing "become" with other verbs where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of "become angry", consider simply using "angered".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become worried" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transition into a state of worry or concern. This implies a process rather than a static condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become worried" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the process of developing concern or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. The phrase is commonly found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Wiki" contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, remember that "become worried" emphasizes the transition into a state of worry. Alternative phrases such as "start to worry" or "grow anxious" can be used to add nuance to your writing. While "become worried" is acceptable, avoid overusing 'become' with other verbs when more direct alternatives exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to worry

Focuses on the initiation of worry, similar to "become worried".

grow anxious

Highlights increasing anxiety levels, akin to "become worried".

get concerned

Emphasizes the development of concern, much like "become worried".

feel uneasy

Indicates a developing sense of discomfort or unease.

develop apprehension

Underscores the building of apprehension or dread.

begin to fret

Focuses on the onset of fretting or worrying about something.

turn apprehensive

Highlights a change of state towards feeling apprehensive.

get worked up

Implies an escalation of worry and agitation.

start sweating

Connects feeling worried to physical manifestation such as sweating.

bristle with anxiety

Underscores the physical sensation of worry.

FAQs

How can I use "become worried" in a sentence?

Use "become worried" to describe a gradual onset of concern. For example, "They "became worried" when the storm intensified".

What are some alternatives to "become worried"?

You can use alternatives like "start to worry", "grow anxious", or "get concerned" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "became worried" instead of "become worried"?

Yes, ""became worried"" is the past tense form of "become worried" and is used to describe when someone started to worry in the past.

What's the difference between "become worried" and "is worried"?

"Become worried" describes the process of starting to feel worried, while "is worried" indicates a current state of worry. For example, "He "is worried" about the upcoming exam because he "has become worried" about his preparation".