exaggerated concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exaggerated concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone shows an excessive level of worry or anxiety about something. Example: "Her exaggerated concern about the weather made everyone feel uneasy, even though the forecast predicted only light rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"You won't catch it," she says with exaggerated concern.

The Guardian - Film

Exaggerated concern about Trichinella is clearly one factor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An exaggerated concern for hygiene has taken some of the adventure out of even this gentle experience.

The New York Times

Sure enough, there it was, that old standby of worthy, exaggerated concern, the scary public information advert.

The Guardian - Books

Wenger even went as far as to claim the English reluctance to embrace the Europa League results from an exaggerated concern about playing on Thursdays.

Independent

The 2005 reforms, driven by an exaggerated concern that debtors might game the system, instituted a series of paper-intensive procedural safeguards.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Exaggerated concerns about emergency planning didn't kill Shoreham.

The New York Times

Mr. Mubarak's lawyer, Farid el-Deeb, also appears to have exaggerated concerns about his client's health.

The New York Times

However, there may well be a degree of 'moral panic' in these reports, and researchers have cautioned against exaggerated concerns.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

How nurses administer range orders may vary based on their interpretation of the intent of an order, inadequate knowledge of analgesic titration, or exaggerated concerns about opioid safety.

Pain Management Nursing

Perfectionistic concerns (i.e., negative reactions to failures, exaggerated concerns over others' criticism and expectations, and nagging self-doubts) are linked to social disconnection and depressive symptoms.

Personality and Individual Differences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exaggerated concern", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the excessive or unwarranted nature of the worry being described. Provide specific details to support the claim that the concern is indeed exaggerated.

Common error

Avoid labeling legitimate concerns as "exaggerated" simply because you disagree with them. Ensure a fair assessment before using the phrase to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exaggerated concern" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "exaggerated" modifies the noun "concern". This phrase is typically used to describe a level of worry or anxiety that is perceived as being excessive or disproportionate to the actual threat or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exaggerated concern" is a grammatically correct and usable expression denoting excessive worry or anxiety, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it critically assesses the validity of concerns. The expression functions as a noun phrase and serves to downplay the reasons behind the worry. Related phrases include "overstated worry" and "excessive anxiety". When using "exaggerated concern", ensure that the context demonstrates the excessive nature of the worry. Avoid using it to dismiss genuine worries without fair assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overstated worry

Emphasizes the excessive expression of worry.

excessive anxiety

Highlights the disproportionate level of anxiety.

undue apprehension

Focuses on the inappropriateness of the level of concern.

disproportionate fear

Stresses the imbalance between the fear and the actual threat.

unfounded anxiety

Indicates a lack of a solid basis for the worry.

overblown worry

Highlights the inflated nature of the worry.

needless anxiety

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the anxiety.

gratuitous worry

Focuses on the uncalled-for nature of the concern.

inflated anxiety

Highlights the excessively high level of anxiety.

unwarranted fear

Indicates that the fear is not justified.

FAQs

How can I use "exaggerated concern" in a sentence?

You can use "exaggerated concern" to describe situations where someone is overly worried or anxious about something. For example: "The media's "exaggerated concern" about the flu outbreak caused widespread panic".

What are some alternatives to "exaggerated concern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "overstated worry", "excessive anxiety", or "undue apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as an "exaggerated concern"?

Yes, using the phrase "exaggerated concern" typically implies a negative judgment, suggesting that the concern is unwarranted or disproportionate to the actual risk or problem.

What's the difference between "exaggerated concern" and "legitimate worry"?

"Exaggerated concern" suggests the worry is excessive and perhaps unfounded, while "legitimate worry" implies a valid reason for concern based on real or potential threats.