grow worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow worried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a gradual increase in concern or anxiety about a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, I began to grow worried about the project's completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

By February 2005, however, Mr. Urdangarin seemed to grow worried about seeking foundation money from sponsors.

The New York Times

Elderly parents of mentally retarded children grow worried that there will be no one to care for their children, once they die.

The New York Times

He added, "I think there were some real business and strategic issues with the way Travis was taking the company, and the V.C.s and investors in Uber were starting to grow worried about it".

The New Yorker

Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank in London, wrote Wednesday in a research note that Spain would probably have to seek help as soon as next week because the situation is becoming untenable as deposits flee the country's banks and other governments grow worried about possible contagion.

The New York Times

So now oil prices are high, and they are likely to remain above $25 a barrel until growth slows significantly in an important region of the world -- or until the Saudis grow worried that this country will again get serious about energy conservation and research into alternative energy sources.

The New York Times

He added, "I think there were some real business and strategic issues with the way Travis was taking the company, and the V.C.s and investors in Uber were starting to grow worried about it". If Uber had to begin raising more money, new investors could demand better terms that would have reduced the value of earlier investors' holdings, a scenario the early investors were eager to avoid.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow worried" to describe a gradual increase in concern, rather than a sudden onset of worry. For instance, "As the deadline approached, I began to grow worried about the project's completion" suggests a gradual increase in anxiety.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "grow worried" excessively in formal or professional writing. Opt for synonyms like "become concerned" or "develop apprehension" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow worried" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of becoming anxious or concerned. It combines the verb "grow", signifying a gradual increase, with the adjective "worried", describing the state of mind. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing evolving emotional states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow worried" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes a gradual increase in concern or anxiety. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and is considered to be of neutral formality. While perfectly acceptable, consider opting for synonyms like "become anxious" or "get concerned" in more formal writing situations. Remember to use this phrase when expressing a gradual onset of worry, rather than a sudden occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get concerned

Indicates a developing sense of worry or unease, slightly more formal.

start feeling anxious

Emphasizes the experiential aspect of anxiety beginning.

become anxious

Suggests a shift to a state of nervousness or unease, similar to growing worried but can happen more abruptly.

become apprehensive

Indicates a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

start to fret

Implies a more agitated and perhaps less controlled form of worry.

get stressed

Implies a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

develop anxiety

Focuses on the development of a more clinical state of anxiety.

feel uneasy

Describes a general sense of discomfort or apprehension.

begin to doubt

Highlights the onset of uncertainty and questioning, a specific form of worry.

find oneself concerned

Suggests a more passive or reflective realization of concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow worried" to describe a gradual increase in concern or anxiety about a particular situation. For example: "As the project fell behind schedule, the team began to "grow worried" about meeting the deadline."

What can I say instead of "grow worried"?

You can use alternatives like "become anxious", "get concerned", or "start to fret" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "grow worried" formal or informal?

The phrase "grow worried" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, alternatives like "become concerned" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "grow worried" and "suddenly worried"?

"Grow worried" implies a gradual increase in concern over time, whereas "suddenly worried" indicates an immediate onset of anxiety. The choice depends on whether the worry developed gradually or appeared abruptly.