concerned look

USAGE SUMMARY

"concerned look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone's facial expression when they are worried or anxious about something. You can use it in any situation where you want to convey that someone is feeling uneasy or troubled. Example: As she waited for her exam results, Jane couldn't hide her concerned look. She anxiously tapped her foot and bit her lip, her worry evident in her furrowed brow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

MY mother shot me a concerned look.

The New York Times - Travel

He gave me a concerned look.

The Guardian - Tech

He gave me a concerned look and told me to go back to my squad.

The New York Times

Then it cut back to Walters, seated with the Trumps, a concerned look on her face.

The New Yorker

Enough to make everyone concerned look like "total idiots," as Klopp conceded with brutal honesty afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

A woman in a supermarket sniffs an apple (women love sniffing things), before a concerned look passes her face.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It's at this point, a concerned looking women raises a hand.

The Guardian - Music

Some weren't as concerned, looking ahead at the continuing resolution, or funding for the government, which expires on March 27.

Huffington Post

Now, I must admit that I expected Barton to rely on Republican "crisis management" techniques: blame alcoholism, check into a rehab center, surround himself with concerned looking family members, pray to the Lord for guidance and strength, and then announce that God had told him to apologize to anyone who "might" have been offended by his remarks.

Huffington Post

He said he was much more concerned to look ahead than look backward".

The New York Times

And if you are more concerned with looking good than looking like Dick Tracy, there are plenty of fitness bands: Jawbone Up24 – boasts two weeks battery life, sleep tracking, vibration activity reminders, but no heart rate monitor.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "concerned look" to subtly convey worry or unease in a character's expression without explicitly stating their feelings. This is especially effective in narrative writing where 'show, don't tell' is valued.

Common error

Avoid overusing "concerned look" when a more specific emotion is evident. If the character is terrified, 'terrified expression' is more accurate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concerned look" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'concerned' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'look'. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it often serves as the object of a verb (e.g., 'gave a concerned look').

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "concerned look" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an expression of worry or anxiety. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase effectively conveys unease or empathy. When writing, consider context and nuance, and to enhance description consider a phrase like “"worried expression"”. While “concerned look” is acceptable, make sure it matches with your character’s feelings or use more specific terms as required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worried expression

Focuses more directly on the worry aspect, replacing 'look' with 'expression'.

anxious gaze

Highlights the anxiety and uses 'gaze' to suggest a prolonged look.

pensive stare

Emphasizes a contemplative and possibly worried look.

thoughtful expression

Shifts the focus to thoughtfulness, implying deep consideration and concern.

troubled countenance

Uses a more formal word, 'countenance', to describe a worried face.

uneasy visage

Uses 'visage' for face and 'uneasy' to emphasize discomfort and concern.

distressed appearance

Focuses on the overall appearance of distress, encompassing more than just the face.

solicitous glance

Highlights the caring aspect of the concern, suggesting attentiveness to someone's needs.

apprehensive air

Shifts from a visual 'look' to an overall 'air' of apprehension.

fearful aspect

Emphasizes the fear component of the concern, suggesting a more intense emotion.

FAQs

How can I describe a "concerned look" in more detail?

You can add details about the eyes (e.g. wide, darting), the brow (e.g. furrowed), or the mouth (e.g. downturned) to enhance the description of the "concerned look".

What's a more formal alternative to "concerned look"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "solicitous glance" or "troubled countenance".

Can "concerned look" imply suspicion or just worry?

While "concerned look" primarily suggests worry, the context can subtly imply suspicion. Adding descriptive details can clarify the intended nuance. For example, 'a concerned, questioning look' suggests suspicion.

Is it redundant to say someone 'looked concerned'?

While "concerned look" is concise, stating someone 'looked concerned' is not redundant if you want to emphasize the act of looking or to provide context about why they appeared concerned.