growing worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing sense of concern or anxiety about a particular issue or situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, there was a growing worry among the team about the project's completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Drug-resistant superbugs are a growing worry.

The Economist

Underfunded pension plans are a growing worry for many cities.

The Economist

Certainly, antitrust scrutiny is a growing worry at the Googleplex.

The New York Times

Another growing worry is the advance of the Zika virus.

The Guardian

Legal liability for injury to the public is a growing worry.

The Economist

They expressed growing worry over the weekend about the possibility of another outbreak here.

The New York Times

Shares dropped on Wednesday amid growing worry about the deadlock in Washington and the economic outlook for the country.

The New York Times

But the indirect threat of its more advanced weapons being sold to such potential Western foes is a growing worry.

The Economist

Your biggest enemy is the growing worry among Republicans that Al Gore would clean your clock in debate.

The New York Times

He added that the pope's comments reflected the Vatican's growing worry about, and preoccupation with, the situation in Iraq.

The New York Times

There is a growing worry that Ms. Saunders's taste for the risky deal may mean more heartache for WestLB.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing worry" to describe situations where concern is noticeably increasing over time, providing context to the escalation of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "growing worry" when describing a constant or unchanging state of concern. This phrase is best suited for situations where the worry is actively increasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing worry" functions as a noun phrase, where "growing" acts as a present participle modifying the noun "worry". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing worry" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe an increasing sense of concern or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, use "growing worry" to emphasize the escalating nature of a concern, and consider alternatives like "rising concern" or "increasing anxiety" to fine-tune the nuance. Remember to avoid using it in static contexts where the concern isn't actually increasing. The authoritative sources and frequent usage patterns identified by Ludwig highlight its relevance and reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensifying worry

Highlights the process of worry becoming stronger and more pronounced.

rising concern

Highlights the escalating level of concern regarding a particular matter.

developing anxiety

Indicates the gradual formation and intensification of anxiety.

increasing anxiety

Focuses on the emotional state, emphasizing the heightened level of anxiety.

amplifying concern

Focuses on the increase in the intensity and scope of concern.

burgeoning concern

Emphasizes the rapid development and increase of concern.

mounting apprehension

Emphasizes the building up of unease and fear about a future event.

heightened unease

Stresses the amplified feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

aggravating anxiety

Emphasizes the worsening condition of anxiety.

escalating fear

Directly points to the intensification of fear related to a specific situation.

FAQs

How can I use "growing worry" in a sentence?

You can use "growing worry" to describe an increasing sense of concern about something. For example, "There is a growing worry about the potential impact of climate change."

What's a good alternative to "growing worry"?

Alternatives include "rising concern", "increasing anxiety", or "mounting apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "growingly worried" instead of "growing worry"?

While "growingly worried" is grammatically valid, it's less common and might sound awkward. "Increasingly worried" is a more natural-sounding alternative. "Growing worry" focuses on the worry itself, while "increasingly worried" describes a state of being.

What is the difference between "growing worry" and "slight concern"?

"Growing worry" suggests an escalating concern, while "slight concern" indicates a minor, often initial, level of unease. The former implies a situation that is worsening, the latter a situation that might not escalate.