gravely worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely worried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a deep or serious concern about a situation or person. Example: "After hearing the news about the storm, I am gravely worried about the safety of my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The adviser said he was gravely worried that Yemen would break up.

The New Yorker

"Our priority is for their safe return - their families are gravely worried about them and want them home.

Independent

The major airlines are all gravely worried that discounted leisure fares are filling seats without bringing in profit, while low-fare, low-cost competitors are eating their lunch.

The New York Times

The Business Roundtable said that even though its member CEOs are gravely worried about the effect of Washington gridlock on the economy, they declined to specify what exactly they'd like to see.

The Washington Post

Among them is business secretary Vince Cable who is gravely worried about any deal that would mean the Lib Dems signing up to anything like current Tory spending cuts or plans for an EU referendum – which Clegg is willing to accept as the price of a deal.

The Guardian

"Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home," Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom of West Yorkshire police said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Answers to the question of whether the French felt they could now trust the loyalty of their regular Army, only 24% declared that they were very confident the could trust it; 43% felt rather confident; 11% had no confidence at all; & 22% more than than a fifth, were unable to make up their minds - signs of tepid faith in the worthness of France's Army, which is also now gravely worrying NATO.

The New Yorker

"It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out.

BBC

PW: This is some succour to Tory backbenchers, many of whom praise UC publicly but worry gravely about its implementation and the political impact it will have.

The Guardian

Then Fiorina comes on screen and gravely says, "Terrorism kills, and Barbara Boxer is worried about the weather".

Huffington Post

The European Union said it was worried about the move to block Twitter, with Stefan Fuele, the EU commissioner for enlargement, saying he was "gravely concerned" by Prime Minister Erdogan's policy on free speech.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely worried" to convey a sense of serious and significant concern, particularly when the situation involves potential negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely worried" in trivial situations. Its strong connotation can make your writing sound melodramatic if the context doesn't warrant such seriousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely worried" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the state of being seriously concerned. Ludwig confirms its acceptability, showcasing its presence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gravely worried" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying serious concern. According to Ludwig, it appears mostly in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the intensity of the situation to ensure its appropriateness. If the situation does not warrant the grave tone implied by this expression, consider using a less intense alternative such as "deeply concerned" or "seriously anxious".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely worried

Focuses on the intensity of the worry.

deeply concerned

Emphasizes the depth of the concern.

greatly concerned

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

terribly worried

Highlights the negative impact of the worry.

seriously anxious

Highlights the anxiety aspect of the worry.

profoundly concerned

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the concern.

intensely anxious

Emphasizes the high level of anxiety.

acutely anxious

Expresses a sharp and intense feeling of worry.

sincerely worried

Emphasizes the genuineness of the worry.

apprehensive about

Focuses on the anticipation of something negative.

FAQs

How to use "gravely worried" in a sentence?

You can use "gravely worried" to express deep concern about a situation or person. For example: "The doctors are gravely worried about his condition".

What can I say instead of "gravely worried"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply concerned", "seriously anxious", or "extremely worried" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "gravely concern" instead of "gravely worried"?

While "gravely" can modify "concern", "gravely worried" is a more common and direct way to express a state of worry. "Gravely concerned" is also a valid alternative.

What is the difference between "gravely worried" and "slightly worried"?

"Gravely worried" indicates a significant and serious level of concern, while "slightly worried" suggests a minor or mild level of concern. The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.