generate worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generate worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or situations that cause anxiety or concern in individuals or groups. Example: "The sudden changes in the company's policy may generate worry among the employees about job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All participants confirmed that they were able to generate worry topics of current concern.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Discovering a tumour on a routine scan may generate worries, existential angst, and even pain (Walker and Rogers, 2017, Pickering, 2006, Petersen et al., 2010).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Until now, this flow has mostly benefited richer countries and generated worries about a brain drain in poorer ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

But security concerns make telecommunications a particularly delicate industry in this country, and even the hint of a Huawei deal with Sprint has generated worries in Washington.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's definitely generating worries within our staff, both about their own financial needs and about the health of the community," said Howard Gamble, a spokesman for Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling.

The New York Times

Beijing has sought to rein in credit in a bid to tackle the flow of easy money that fueled growth in recent years, but that has generated worries about asset quality and potentially destabilizing defaults further down the line.

The New York Times

Choosing a home where to live in the event older participants lost their caregiver or home care support generated worries.

BMC Geriatrics

The steep increase in the use of fossil carbon during the past 200 years has generated worries about the increasing CO2 content of the earth's atmosphere and its presumed consequences, like global warming and ocean acidification [ 1– 3].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

It is the most powerful storms that generate real worry.

The New York Times

Putting these two propositions together may be enough to generate the worry that universal human rights do not sufficiently accommodate the diversity of Earth's peoples.

SEP

The integration of molecular markers in cervical cancer screening such as DNA methylation might help avoid unnecessary referral and repeat diagnostic procedures, which not only waste medical resources but also generate needless worry for the patient and her family.

Cancer Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generate worry" to describe a situation or event that is likely to cause concern or anxiety. It's often appropriate when discussing potential outcomes or consequences.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "generate worry" can sound overly formal or clinical in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "cause worry" or "make people anxious" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate worry" functions as a verb + noun construction, where 'generate' acts as a transitive verb taking 'worry' as its object. It describes the act of causing or producing a state of concern or anxiety. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generate worry" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of causing or producing anxiety or concern. While deemed correct and usable by Ludwig, it is relatively rare. Its usage is most common in scientific, news and media and formal business contexts. More informal settings might benefit from alternatives like "cause anxiety" or "create concern". When writing, use "generate worry" to describe situations where anxiety is a likely outcome. Also, be mindful of the register: it is more appropriate for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause anxiety

Focuses more directly on the emotional state of anxiety being produced.

provoke anxiety

Similar to 'cause anxiety' but suggests a more active instigation.

trigger worries

Highlights a specific event or circumstance that initiates worry.

create concern

Emphasizes a milder form of unease or apprehension.

stir concern

Implies that the concern already exists but is being actively brought to the surface.

spark apprehension

Highlights the initial moment of feeling anxious or uneasy.

foster unease

Implies a gradual development of discomfort and anxiety.

breed anxiety

Implies that the anxiety may lead to even more negative effects.

instill fear

Suggests a stronger emotional response of fear, rather than just worry.

produce angst

Refers to deep existential anxiety or distress.

FAQs

How can I use "generate worry" in a sentence?

You can use "generate worry" to describe events or situations that are likely to cause concern or anxiety. For example: "The company's restructuring plans "generate worry" among employees."

What are some alternatives to "generate worry"?

Alternatives include "cause anxiety", "create concern", or "spark apprehension" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "generate worry" or "cause worry"?

"Generate worry" is slightly more formal and technical, while "cause worry" is more common and generally applicable in most situations.

What's the difference between "generate worry" and "trigger anxiety"?

"Generate worry" implies creating a general sense of unease, while "trigger anxiety" suggests a more immediate and intense reaction to a specific stimulus.