grow concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow concerned" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that someone has become increasingly worried or apprehensive about something. For example: "As the deadline drew near, he began to grow concerned about finishing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Fisher began to grow concerned.

The New Yorker

Scientists grow concerned at the how fast global warming is shrinking the Earth's glaciers.

The Washington Post

If you receive stable dividends year after year, then you should grow concerned.

Harvard Business Review

Leonhard could be an option if the Jets grow concerned with the timetable of Landry's recovery from an Achilles' tendon injury.

The New York Times

It's no coincidence that we suddenly grow concerned for a fighter's health at the exact moment he ceases to entertain us.

The New Yorker

"Unless Weiner is secretly manufacturing outlines in preparation of some crazy all-night writing sessions with his staff, it might be time for fans to grow concerned".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Loved ones grew concerned.

The New York Times

Porter was growing concerned.

The New Yorker

Even Mr. Mundus grew concerned.

The New York Times

Growing concerned, he ran toward home.

The New York Times

Some who heard Mr. Shalom grew concerned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow concerned" to express a gradual increase in worry or apprehension, often in response to unfolding events or new information.

Common error

Avoid using "grow concerned" too frequently in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "become increasingly worried" or "develop apprehension" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow concerned" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of becoming increasingly worried or apprehensive. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, suggesting a developing state of concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow concerned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an escalating state of worry or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in English writing. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting its utility in describing public or personal anxieties. While versatile, avoid overusing it in overly formal contexts, opting for more sophisticated alternatives when necessary. The phrase effectively conveys a developing sense of unease or worry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become worried

Replaces "grow" with "become" and "concerned" with "worried", focusing on the resulting state of worry.

start to worry

Uses "start to" to indicate the beginning of worry, rather than a gradual increase.

begin to fret

Replaces "concerned" with "fret", implying a more anxious or agitated state.

get anxious

Shifts the focus to a state of anxiety rather than concern.

develop anxieties

Highlights the development of anxieties over time.

feel apprehensive

Emphasizes a feeling of unease or fear about a future event.

find oneself worrying

Reflects a passive experience of becoming worried.

experience growing anxiety

Highlights the experience of escalating anxiety.

have rising fears

Focuses on the increase in fears or apprehensions.

become increasingly uneasy

Uses "uneasy" instead of "concerned", suggesting a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "grow concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "grow concerned" to describe a gradual increase in worry or apprehension. For example: "As the project deadline approached, the team began to "grow concerned" about its completion."

What are some alternatives to "grow concerned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "become worried", "start to worry", or "get anxious".

Is it more appropriate to say "grow concerned" or "become concerned"?

"Grow concerned" and "become concerned" are both acceptable. "Grow concerned" implies a gradual increase in worry, while "become concerned" simply indicates a transition to a state of worry.

What does it mean when someone says they "grow concerned"?

When someone says they "grow concerned", it means they are starting to feel worried or apprehensive about something and that feeling is gradually increasing over time.