escalating worries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "escalating worries" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing increasing concerns or anxieties about a situation. For example, "The escalating worries about climate change prompted urgent action from leaders." Alternative expressions include "growing concerns" and "increasing anxieties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The dollar rose against the euro after the Fitch ratings agency downgraded Greece's debt three notches further into junk status, escalating worries about the European debt crisis.

The New York Times

Despite escalating worries about the deteriorating situation, no one in our nation's capital is ready to believe that Afghanistan could actually be the "graveyard" for the American role as the dominant hegemon on this planet.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's hard to say goodbye to beloved players, followed faithfully for many years, and this might explain fans' escalating worry about what the sport will be like after Federer and Serena Williams.

The New Yorker

The arrival of organized criminal syndicates to the software piracy scene has escalated worries at companies like Microsoft, Symantec and Adobe.

The New York Times - Tech

Putin said during a visit to Germany on Monday that the escalating tensions worry Russia, a neighbor of North Korea.

Independent

And with recent news of burgeoning resistance to over-the-counter treatments, those worries are escalating.

Los Angeles Times

In March 1998 Universal put Hulk on hiatus due to its escalating $100 million budget and worries of Hensleigh directing his first film.

Wikipedia

With all the reports of street violence and escalating unrest, I was worried about her.

The New Yorker

ALL of a sudden, after months of worry about escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, the two sides are being a bit nicer to each other.

The Economist

Stocks closed mostly down yesterday as energy stocks fell with oil prices and Wall Street worried about escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

The New York Times

She has always been pro-business (her much demonised health-care reforms rejected the Canadian single-payer model and enjoyed the support of many businesses that were worried about escalating health-care costs).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "escalating worries", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the increasing nature and intensity of the concerns. For instance, use it to describe a situation where initial concerns have grown significantly over time.

Common error

Avoid using "escalating worries" to describe slight increases in concern. Reserve it for situations where the level of worry has genuinely and significantly intensified. Using it for minor concerns dilutes its impact and can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escalating worries" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "escalating" modifies the noun "worries". It describes a state of increasing anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with various examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "escalating worries" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear phrase used to describe increasing anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI analysis based on a diverse set of examples, including those from reputable news sources, suggests the phrase is most commonly employed in neutral contexts, particularly within News & Media. While it isn't the most frequently used expression, it accurately conveys a sense of growing unease. When employing this phrase, remember to reserve it for situations where the worries have genuinely intensified to avoid hyperbole. Alternative phrases such as "growing anxieties" or "mounting concerns" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing anxieties

Emphasizes the increasing nature of anxieties, similar to worries.

mounting concerns

Highlights the accumulation of concerns, suggesting a buildup.

rising fears

Focuses on the increase in fears, which can be more intense than worries.

intensifying anxieties

Stresses the increasing intensity of anxieties.

heightened apprehension

Indicates a greater level of apprehension or unease.

increasing unease

Focuses on a growing sense of discomfort or anxiety.

developing misgivings

Highlights the formation and growth of doubts or reservations.

spreading alarm

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the increasing alarm.

accumulating reservations

Focuses on the gathering of hesitations and doubts.

emerging anxieties

Highlights that the anxieties are newly arising.

FAQs

How can I use "escalating worries" in a sentence?

You can use "escalating worries" to describe situations where concerns are increasing, such as "The "escalating worries" about the economy led to a stock market decline".

What are some alternatives to "escalating worries"?

Alternatives include "growing anxieties", "mounting concerns", or "rising fears", depending on the specific context and intensity of the concern.

Is it better to say "escalating worries" or "increasing worries"?

"Escalating worries" implies a more rapid and significant increase in concern compared to "increasing worries". Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual rate and magnitude of the increase.

What's the difference between "escalating worries" and "growing concerns"?

"Escalating worries" suggests a situation where initial worries are rapidly increasing in intensity or scope. "Growing concerns" implies a more gradual and general increase in concern over time. Context determines the best choice.