bigger worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bigger worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concern that is more significant or pressing than another issue. Example: "While the budget cuts are concerning, the bigger worry is the potential impact on employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bigger worry is competence.

The Economist

That is the bigger worry".

The New York Times

But critics have a bigger worry.

The Economist

Tomorrow is a far bigger worry.

The New York Times

Allardyce, though, had a bigger worry.

The Guardian - Sport

But the bigger worry is the production of nuclear materials.

The New York Times

Crime has become a bigger worry than unemployment.

The Economist

The bigger worry is if Egyptians also become frightened.

The New York Times

A bigger worry may still be a few years away.

The Economist

Deflation is a bigger worry than inflation right now.

The Economist

The bigger worry for them was their estate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple concerns, use "bigger worry" to clearly signal the issue that carries greater significance or potential negative impact. This helps prioritize information for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "bigger worry" when there is no clear comparison or context. Simply stating "the bigger worry" without specifying what it's bigger than can leave the reader confused about the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bigger worry" functions as a noun phrase, where "bigger" modifies the noun "worry". It typically acts as a subject complement or an object complement, highlighting the greater significance of a specific concern compared to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bigger worry" is a common and grammatically correct way to highlight a more significant concern compared to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its purpose is to emphasize the relative importance of issues and guide attention to the most pressing matters. While alternatives like "greater concern" or "larger issue" exist, "bigger worry" provides a clear and direct way to prioritize information. Remember to use it in contexts where a comparison is relevant to avoid confusion. The source quality is high, with frequent examples from reputable publications like The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater concern

Changes the wording to use "concern" instead of "worry", but maintains the emphasis on significance.

larger issue

Substitutes "worry" with "issue", focusing on the problem's scale rather than the emotional aspect.

primary concern

Highlights that the concern is the main one, carrying more weight than other considerations.

major apprehension

Replaces "worry" with a more formal term, "apprehension", indicating a sense of unease about something significant.

chief anxiety

Uses "anxiety" to convey a stronger emotional aspect of worry, emphasizing the main cause of anxiety.

principal fear

Focuses on the fear aspect, indicating the most important thing someone is afraid of.

main source of anxiety

Identifies the key cause of anxious feelings, shifting the focus to the root of the problem.

overriding preoccupation

Emphasizes that this worry takes precedence over everything else in someone's thoughts.

most pressing issue

Highlights the urgency and importance of the issue at hand, suggesting it requires immediate attention.

foremost reservation

Uses "reservation" to indicate a doubt or concern that takes priority over other considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "bigger worry" in a sentence?

You can use "bigger worry" to emphasize a concern that is more significant than another. For example, "While the initial costs are high, the "bigger worry" is the long-term maintenance expenses".

What can I say instead of "bigger worry"?

You can use alternatives like "greater concern", "larger issue", or "primary concern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bigger worry" or "big worry"?

"Bigger worry" implies a comparison to another, lesser concern, whereas "big worry" simply indicates a significant concern. The choice depends on whether you are making a comparison.

What's the difference between "bigger worry" and "major concern"?

"Bigger worry" explicitly suggests a comparison to another worry, indicating relative importance. "Major concern" simply highlights the significance of a single issue without an explicit comparison.