especially worried about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially worried about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a heightened concern regarding a specific issue or situation. Example: "I am especially worried about the impact of climate change on future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am especially worried about what citizenship may mean for immigrants and refugees.

The New Yorker

Detectives became especially worried about booby-trap bombs hidden in seemingly innocuous objects such as traffic cones.

The Telegraph

Unlike the old-fashioned creationists, they are not especially worried about evolution conflicting with a literal reading of Genesis.

The New York Times - Books

Hungarians in general, and Jews in Hungary especially, worried about what was in store for them: the Austrian border was only a short drive away.

The New York Times - Arts

Among regions that he said climbers were especially worried about are the Alps, the Canadian Rockies and the Peruvian mountains, as well as many Himalayan areas.

The New York Times

Markus Kerber of the Federation of German Industry is especially worried about infrastructure, ranging from power grids to broadband.The shortfall in capital is human as well as physical.

The Economist

At the news conference on Monday, Mr. Zhou said China was especially worried about Europe and its chronic sovereign debt crisis.

The New York Times

One thing the company seems especially worried about is cybersecurity and the growth of cyber-crime.

Forbes

Right now, I'm especially worried about agriculture.

HuffPost

Castro is especially worried about reports that power may not be restored to much of the island for months.

Huffington Post

In the above survey, some doctors andnurses were not especially worried about patients withSpO2 values as low as 80% (equivalent toPaO2 ≤ 45 torr).

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "especially worried about", ensure that the object of your worry is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I am "especially worried about" the rising sea levels" is clearer than "I am "especially worried about" the future."

Common error

Avoid redundancy by using "especially" only when you truly intend to emphasize the degree of worry. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Alternatives like "concerned" or "anxious" might be more appropriate for general worry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially worried about" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, expressing a heightened state of concern or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "especially worried about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a significant degree of concern regarding a particular subject. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, highlighting its prevalence across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, science, and formal business communications. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the cause of your worry and avoiding redundant intensifiers. Alternatives like "particularly concerned about" or "deeply concerned about" can be used to add nuance. The phrase enjoys a neutral register, fitting for various forms of communication. Keep in mind that, as also shown in the Ludwig examples, overusing intensifiers can dilute the overall message. By understanding these nuances, one can effectively and appropriately utilize "especially worried about" in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly concerned about

Replaces "especially worried" with "particularly concerned", maintaining a formal tone while softening the emotional intensity.

deeply concerned about

Substitutes "especially worried" with "deeply concerned", emphasizing the seriousness of the worry.

highly anxious about

Replaces "worried" with "anxious", focusing on the psychological state of unease.

gravely apprehensive about

Uses more formal and intense vocabulary to convey a serious sense of foreboding.

uneasy regarding

Expresses a feeling of discomfort or disquiet about something.

concerned over

A more concise alternative that directly expresses concern.

apprehensive about

Focuses on the anticipation of future problems or difficulties.

fears for

A shorter, more direct way to express worry about someone or something.

has serious concerns about

Indicates a significant level of worry or doubt.

troubled by

Indicates that someone is bothered or disturbed by something.

FAQs

How can I use "especially worried about" in a sentence?

Use "especially worried about" to express a heightened sense of concern regarding a specific topic. For example, "She is "especially worried about" her son's health."

What can I say instead of "especially worried about"?

You can use alternatives like "particularly concerned about", "deeply concerned about", or "highly anxious about" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "very especially worried about"?

Yes, using "very especially worried about" is generally considered redundant. "Especially" already implies a high degree of concern, so adding "very" doesn't add further emphasis and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "especially worried about" and "generally worried about"?

"Especially worried about" indicates a heightened level of concern focused on something specific, while "generally worried about" suggests a more diffuse and less intense level of concern across a broader range of issues.