cause to worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause to worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that creates concern or anxiety for someone. Example: "The sudden drop in stock prices can cause to worry among investors about the market's stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other services have been less worried about the VPPA, and should have less cause to worry going forward.

TechCrunch

Their insurers have cause to worry too.

The Economist

Mr. Bush has cause to worry about McCain supporters.

The New York Times

But they also have ample cause to worry.

The New York Times

Then, the giants really will have cause to worry.

Independent

Furthermore, Britain has real cause to worry about financial regulation.

The Economist

Recently they have had particular cause to worry.

The Economist

But Ms Rousseff has cause to worry about FIFA.

The Economist

And more than a few of them have cause to worry about that.

The New York Times

But even parents whose children are years from taking the wheel may have cause to worry.

The New York Times

Their findings give us fresh cause to worry that sudden changes are in our future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the degree of concern, consider adding adjectives like "serious", "significant", or "considerable" before "cause to worry".

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "cause to worry" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferred, such as "gives rise to concern" or "presents grounds for apprehension".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause to worry" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the act of creating concern or anxiety. It is commonly used to indicate that a particular situation, event, or piece of information is prompting worry in someone or a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause to worry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the idea of something generating concern or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It finds its primary usage in News & Media, followed by Academic contexts. When aiming for formality, consider alternatives like "gives rise to concern". The phrase serves to inform and highlight potential risks, prompting careful consideration. While generally versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic contexts. Ensuring clarity in identifying the subject causing the worry is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for concern

This alternative focuses on the justification or basis for feeling worried, rather than the act of causing worry itself.

reason to be anxious

This directly states that a reason exists for someone to feel anxious.

grounds for unease

This phrase highlights the basis for a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, placing emphasis on the unsettling aspect.

basis for disquiet

This option focuses on the foundation for a feeling of restlessness or disturbance.

justification for anxiety

This option specifies that there is a valid or defensible reason to experience anxiety.

source of apprehension

This alternative emphasizes the origin from which worry or fear arises.

reason for alarm

This alternative suggests that there is a cause for heightened concern or fear.

trigger for concern

This emphasizes the event or situation that initiates worry.

explanation for worry

This highlights that there is a clear explanation for why someone is worried.

impetus for worry

This phrase suggests that there's a driving force or stimulus behind the feeling of worry.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cause to worry" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "gives rise to concern", "presents grounds for apprehension", or "is a "reason for concern"".

What is a less intense alternative to "cause to worry"?

If you want to express a milder degree of concern, consider using phrases like "raise questions", "prompt some unease", or "suggest a need for caution".

Is there a difference between "cause to worry" and "reason to worry"?

"Cause to worry" refers to something that creates concern, while "reason to worry" is the justification or basis for that concern. They are closely related but have slightly different focuses.

How do I use "cause to worry" in a sentence?

You can use "cause to worry" to describe something that creates anxiety or concern for someone. For example: "The lack of funding can "cause to worry" among researchers." You can also say "there is "cause to worry"".