grow concerned that

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow concerned that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when talking about something that causes a person to become more and more worried or anxious. For example, "As the news of the outbreak spread, many people began to grow concerned that their health was at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Looking at the real estate and prices around the area, I do grow concerned that the new Union Square will be less inclusive than the old one".

The New York Times

It was not until late morning that colleagues began to grow concerned that Mr. Descoings was missing, and someone phoned the Michelangelo Hotel where he was staying to check on his whereabouts.

The New York Times

When they hear Mr. Booker talking about expanding his base and meeting with people who once spurned him, they grow concerned that his idealism may have surrendered to pragmatism.

The New York Times

Eventually, the M.T.A. hired Tauranac, and in 1976 he became the chief designer of the new subway map.* After a while, Tauranac will grow concerned that he is overlooking his guests, so you can return to the party, where he will pass around copies of his new map on a dinner plate, and everyone will unfold and examine them.

The New Yorker

After months of camping out in freezing temperatures, some are beginning to grow concerned that they are being given the cold shoulder.

BBC

If the tour started out as a bunch of people going to see the inside of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for the first time, I was starting to grow concerned that it was turning into that scene where they enter the strange psychedelic tunnel.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He grew concerned that his reputation had suffered harm.

The New York Times

Pentagon officials are already growing concerned that their enemy is becoming more elusive.

The Economist

Librarians grew concerned that Google wouldn't adequately protect their patrons' privacy.

The New York Times - Tech

College administrators grew concerned that Marberger could present an imminent danger.

The Washington Post

The light fading, the sitter grew concerned that the boy would panic.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow concerned that" to express a gradual increase in worry or apprehension about a particular situation or outcome. This phrase is best suited for formal or neutral contexts, where a measured and thoughtful tone is appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "grow concerned that" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "start to worry that" or "get worried that" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow concerned that" functions as a verb phrase indicating a progressive state of increasing worry or apprehension. It often introduces a subordinate clause expressing the cause of concern, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow concerned that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a gradual increase in worry or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently encountered in news and academic contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the tone and register of your writing. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal communication. By understanding these subtle nuances, you can effectively use "grow concerned that" to convey a sense of escalating worry with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop concerns that

Focuses on the development of concerns, suggesting a gradual increase in worry.

start to worry that

Emphasizes the initiation of worry, suggesting the beginning of concern about something.

get worried that

Similar to "start to worry that", but suggests a more passive experience of becoming worried.

become anxious that

Focuses on the emotional state of becoming anxious, highlighting the feeling rather than the growing concern.

find oneself concerned that

Implies a realization of concern, suggesting a more reflective or introspective experience.

become apprehensive that

Emphasizes a feeling of unease or anxiety about a future event or situation.

fear that

Highlights the emotion of fear, indicating a strong feeling of apprehension or dread.

start to feel uneasy that

Highlights a sense of discomfort or nervousness about a particular situation.

begin to suspect that

Shifts the focus to suspicion, implying a lack of trust or certainty about a situation.

become skeptical that

Shifts the focus to doubt and disbelief, suggesting a questioning attitude towards a claim or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow concerned that" to express a gradual increase in worry about something. For example, "As the deadline approached, the team members began to "grow concerned that" they wouldn't finish the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "grow concerned that"?

Alternatives include "start to worry that", "become anxious that", or "develop concerns that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "grow concerned that" or "grew concerned that"?

The choice between "grow concerned that" and "grew concerned that" depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "grow" for present or future tense and "grew" for past tense. For example, "I grow concerned that" versus "I grew concerned that".

What is the difference between "grow concerned that" and "growing concerned that"?

"Grow concerned that" is a general statement, while "growing concerned that" indicates an ongoing process. For example, "People grow concerned that the economy might crash" versus "People are growing concerned that the economy might crash".