got worried

USAGE SUMMARY

"got worried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which someone became worried, typically due to a certain event or circumstance. For example: "When the power went out, I got worried that something was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

She got worried.

The New York Times

"People got worried.

The New Yorker

Women got worried or jealous.

The New Yorker

"I never got worried about the length.

The New York Times - Sports

"I got worried I was going to go back with no pictures," she recalled.

The New York Times

From what they reported, and after seeing photographs of the fire in newspapers, I got worried about a blowout.

The New York Times - Science

"In Italy they learned of the deals Catchings was doing on his own, and Walter Sachs got worried.

The New Yorker

"I got worried when they said there was a cause for concern, but obviously this is good news".

The New York Times - Sports

But then I got worried about dying young, of leaving them".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The players got worried, and the veterans sensed that this made no sense.

The New York Times - Sports

They got tense, they got worried, and sometimes they quit from the overall treatment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got worried", consider adding a 'that'-clause to specify the cause of your concern: "I got worried that the flight was delayed."

Common error

While "got worried" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "became concerned" or "grew anxious" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got worried" functions as a verb phrase, specifically acting as a stative verb indicating a change in emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It is a relational process assigning an attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got worried" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses a feeling of concern or anxiety. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English, and real-world examples show its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "became concerned" in professional writing. To enhance clarity, it's beneficial to specify the cause of the concern using a 'that'-clause. Keep in mind that it describes the start of the act of worrying. It is important to check that depending on context it can be better to choose other synonyms, such as: "became anxious", "grew concerned" or "felt apprehensive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew concerned

Implies a gradual increase in worry, often due to accumulating factors.

became uneasy

Suggests a loss of comfort and a growing sense of disquiet.

became anxious

Focuses on the development of anxiety, suggesting a more prolonged state than a simple worry.

was alarmed

Suggests a strong and sudden feeling of fear or concern.

felt apprehensive

Emphasizes a sense of unease and anticipation of potential problems.

had misgivings

Highlights feelings of doubt or apprehension about a future event or decision.

started to fret

Highlights repetitive worrying about a specific issue.

took fright

Implies a sudden onset of fear or alarm, often in response to an immediate threat.

was perturbed

Implies a mild state of anxiety, where you may be unsettled or disturbed.

lost sleep over

Emphasizes the impact of worry on one's well-being, specifically affecting sleep.

FAQs

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

"Got worried" is typically used to describe a change in emotional state due to a specific event or concern. For example, "I "got worried" when I didn't hear from her" or "She "got worried" about the upcoming exam".

What's the difference between "got worried" and "became anxious"?

While both phrases express concern, "became anxious" often suggests a more prolonged or intense state of worry than "got worried". "Got worried" is more immediate, while "became anxious" /s/implies+anxiety building up over time.

What are some alternatives to "got worried"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "became concerned", "grew anxious", or "felt apprehensive".

Is "got worried" too informal for professional writing?

In some professional contexts, "got worried" might be perceived as slightly informal. Consider using alternatives like "became concerned" or "grew anxious" to maintain a more formal tone.