frantically worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frantically worried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of extreme anxiety or concern about something, often in a situation that requires urgent attention. Example: "As the deadline approached, she became frantically worried about completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I used to take just one eraser at a time and wear it down to a nub — a nub that I'd then search for frantically, worried that the cleaning lady had thrown it out.

The New Yorker

The revelation that leaves all the mothers frantically worried about their spouses and older children who have gone camping that night on the common struck me as contrived and implausible and the play lost some of its shine for me from that point.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I never see him pacing frantically, worrying whether or not he's going to have a great spot on Letterman.

The Guardian - Film

Watching the game without frantically worrying about the outcome, I loved being part of such a spirited crowd, heavily weighted to the Americans, although amply interspersed with Japan supporters, many of whom seemed to be Canadians determined to level the playing field in the stands.

Huffington Post

Juventus win the ball. ET 22 mins: The deadlock continues, while I worry frantically about how best to cope with my first ever minute-by-minute penalty shootout.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not like it was in the past when nobody knew where you were, and were worrying frantically.

WikiHow

Miss Henning described family and friends frantically texting and calling his mobile phone, adding: "We were worried but thought he might have just had to have turned his phone off or didn't have signal… you don't think of kidnap".

Independent

His mother is continually worried and stressed about her parents' well-being — sometimes frantically calling neighbors when she can't reach them at home.

TechCrunch

There is a stubborn malaise afflicting Chinatown's sidewalk vendors, worried about lackluster sales, and the black-jacketed barkers of Little Italy, frantically trying to fill empty restaurants.

The New York Times

So we're not actually keeping a lot of balls in the air like an expert juggler; we're more like a bad amateur plate spinner, frantically switching from one task to another, ignoring the one that is not right in front of us but worried it will come crashing down any minute.

The Guardian

In Gaza, mourners also worried about the fate of Yara, a high-school girl, and Mohammed, 25, whose bodies could be trapped under the Dalu house rubble as rescue operations continued frantically into a second day.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frantically worried" to emphasize a state of intense anxiety and a sense of urgency. It's most effective when describing situations where there's a perceived immediate threat or problem.

Common error

Avoid using "frantically worried" in situations where a milder level of concern is more appropriate. Overusing intensifiers can dilute their impact. Consider alternatives like "concerned" or "anxious" when the situation doesn't warrant extreme urgency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frantically worried" functions as a compound adjective describing a state of being. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable to express extreme anxiety. The word "frantically" modifies "worried", intensifying the feeling of concern.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frantically worried" is a phrase used to describe a state of intense anxiety and urgent concern. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct. It is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the high level of anxiety in a situation, but avoid overuse in contexts where a milder term would suffice. Alternatives such as "extremely anxious" or "deeply concerned" may be more appropriate in less intense situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Frenzied with worry

Mirrors the frantic aspect but with a slightly more chaotic connotation.

Distraught with worry

Highlights the extreme mental or emotional suffering caused by worry.

Extremely anxious

Focuses on the high degree of anxiety, omitting the frantic nature of the worry.

Deeply concerned

Emphasizes the depth of concern, downplaying the urgency or panic.

Overwhelmed with concern

Emphasizes the feeling of being burdened by worry.

Highly agitated

Highlights the state of being stirred up or excited, potentially losing the element of worry.

Beset by anxieties

Focuses on being afflicted or troubled persistently by anxieties.

Intensely uneasy

Highlights a strong feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

In a state of panic

Focuses on panic, potentially stronger and more acute than worry.

Terribly apprehensive

Emphasizes a feeling of dread or unease about the future.

FAQs

How can I use "frantically worried" in a sentence?

You can use "frantically worried" to describe someone experiencing extreme anxiety. For example, "She was "frantically worried" when her child didn't come home on time."

What are some alternatives to "frantically worried"?

Alternatives include "extremely anxious", "deeply concerned", or "frenzied with worry", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "frantically worried" a formal or informal expression?

"Frantically worried" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. However, in formal writing, consider using alternatives like "deeply concerned" to maintain a more professional tone.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "frantically worried"?

Use "frantically worried" when you want to emphasize the intensity and urgency of someone's concern. It suggests a state of high anxiety and a sense of panic or desperation. In less intense situations, alternatives like "anxious" or "concerned" may be more suitable.