concerned expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concerned expression" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe someone's facial expression that shows worry, anxiety, or distress. Example: Mary's face was filled with a concerned expression as she listened to her friend's troubling story.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

One of the two Taliban, a man with a red beard and a concerned expression, was talking to General Nazir, a senior Northern Alliance commander.

The New Yorker

Adrian Corless, Carbon Engineering's chief executive, who is fifty-one, is a compact man with dark hair, a square jaw, and a concerned expression.

The New Yorker

No, I'm not pregnant, I find myself telling nosy parkers whose concerned expression will inevitably turn into a knowing smirk.

Independent

Is it supposed to be hurting?' " He squeezed the shoulder and circled his arm a few times, allowing a concerned expression to spread across his face.

The New York Times - Sports

Beep, who resembles a truncated, malfunctioning pogo stick, and Bah, a somewhat querulous creature with a perpetually concerned expression on his face, try to track down the sock's rightful owner, traveling from one animal to the next, with lots of slapstick and tween-friendly humor along the way.

The New York Times - Books

The plant vice president walked into the room with a concerned expression on his face.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

As we watch Bond's colleagues stiffen with concern we evoke the same concerned expressions.

The Guardian - Books

ON a sunny September afternoon on the Via Coronari in Rome, two men with concerned expressions were hunched over a radio, talking urgently.

The New York Times - Travel

Everywhere Tavis Smiley travels around Southern California these days, people stop him with concerned expressions on their faces.

Los Angeles Times

He achieved the first of these by speaking slowly, lowering his voice and adopting a serious-but-concerned expression.

The Guardian

As far as clinical outcome is concerned, elevated expression of CD133 has been reported to identify, even in multivariate analysis, poor prognosis patients bearing hepatocellular, pancreatic and glioma tumors [ 21, 23].

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "concerned expression" to subtly convey worry or empathy in character descriptions. It's more nuanced than stating the character is simply "worried" or "anxious".

Common error

Avoid using "concerned expression" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "worried look" or "anxious face" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concerned expression" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, typically modifying a subject (person or character) to indicate their emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage in conveying worry or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concerned expression" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to depict a facial appearance that reflects worry, anxiety, or empathy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence across different writing styles and reputable sources. While versatile, varying your descriptive vocabulary with synonyms like "worried look" or "anxious face" can enhance your writing and avoid repetition. The phrase is suitable for neutral register, appearing in news, scientific, and general contexts. Its role is to subtly convey a character's emotional state, providing depth to your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worried look

This alternative focuses on the visual aspect of worry or anxiety.

anxious face

This phrase highlights the facial manifestation of anxiety.

distressed look

This phrase emphasizes the presence of mental or physical suffering.

troubled visage

Visage adds a formal tone to the description of a worried face.

uneasy countenance

This option denotes a lack of comfort or peace, evident in one's face.

pensive appearance

This suggests a thoughtful but potentially worried outward presentation.

solicitous expression

This implies care and concern for someone else's well-being.

apprehensive demeanor

This suggests anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

fearful aspect

This highlights the component of fear in someone's expression.

sympathetic face

This option emphasizes empathy and understanding of others’ suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "concerned expression" in a sentence?

You can use "concerned expression" to describe someone's facial appearance when they are worried or anxious. For example, "She had a /s/worried+look, her brows furrowed in a concerned expression.

What's a good alternative to "concerned expression"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "worried look", "anxious face", or "troubled visage". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the emotion.

Is it correct to say "a concerning expression"?

While grammatically possible, "concerning expression" is less common and usually implies that the expression itself is causing concern, rather than reflecting someone's concern. "Concerned expression" is the more standard and widely accepted phrase.

What emotions does a "concerned expression" typically convey?

A "concerned expression" generally conveys worry, anxiety, or empathy. It suggests that the person is troubled by something they perceive or are thinking about.