grew worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew worried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase in concern or anxiety over a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, she grew worried about completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Freeman, 24, grew worried.

The New York Times - Sports

Dworman grew worried.

The New Yorker

He grew worried.

The Guardian

Ms. Perelman grew worried.

The New York Times

I grew worried.

The Guardian

After the disclosure, some investors grew worried about other contracts.

The New York Times

When Morgan didn't come home, his mother, Marcia Escoffery, grew worried.

The New Yorker

His wife, Blessings, was pregnant, and Winn grew worried about her health, too.

The New York Times - Sports

By February, Mr. Iksil grew worried as he struggled to understand why losses were escalating.

The New York Times

Suddenly remembering the shots heard in the night, she grew worried and knocked.

The Guardian - Books

Friends said they grew worried by his gaunt complexion and a perceptibly skittish manner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew worried" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety or concern over time, often in response to unfolding events or circumstances.

Common error

While generally acceptable, consider more nuanced alternatives like "became apprehensive" or "felt increasing concern" in formal writing to enhance precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew worried" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual increase in the state of being worried. It typically follows a subject and precedes a prepositional phrase or clause explaining the reason for the worry, as exemplified in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Literature

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew worried" is a commonly used verb phrase that indicates a gradual increase in anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it is most frequently found in news and media sources, with notable presence in sports reporting and literature. When writing, consider "grew worried" as an effective way to show a character's developing emotional state. For formal writing, explore alternatives like "became apprehensive" to achieve a more refined style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became anxious

Uses a different verb and adjective to convey a similar state of worry.

started to worry

Emphasizes the beginning of the worrying process.

became concerned

Replaces "worried" with "concerned", indicating a more formal tone.

developed anxiety

Focuses on the development of anxiety as a condition.

began to feel apprehensive

Uses a more formal and nuanced term for worry, "apprehensive".

found themselves worried

Shifts the focus to the subject's state, using "found themselves" to describe the onset of worry.

experienced growing concern

Highlights the increasing nature of the concern.

felt increasing unease

Uses "unease" to describe a feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

was increasingly worried

Uses the past continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing nature of the worry.

anxiety increased

More direct and less descriptive, focusing on the increase of anxiety itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "grew worried" to describe a gradual increase in concern. For example, "As the deadline approached, she "grew worried" about completing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "grew worried"?

You can use alternatives like "became anxious", "started to worry", or "became concerned" depending on the context.

Is "grew worried" formal or informal?

"Grew worried" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. However, highly formal situations may benefit from more sophisticated alternatives.

What's the difference between "grew worried" and "became worried"?

While similar, "grew worried" implies a more gradual onset of worry, while "became worried" can suggest a more sudden shift into a state of worry.