he got worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he got worried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who became anxious or concerned about something. Example: "When he heard the news about the storm, he got worried about the safety of his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Initially he let her sleep, but when she had urinated and started vomiting without waking, he got worried and brought her to the emergency room.

The New York Times

First, he felt excited, then he got worried: perhaps the money belonged to a child heading out on his first trip alone?

The New Yorker

The two friends stayed in touch over the years and when Benning heard she was missing he got worried.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Despite that, Spitzer got worried that he could be tied to the transfers and asked the bank to remove his name from the transactions.

Huffington Post

She got worried.

The New York Times

"People got worried.

The New Yorker

Women got worried or jealous.

The New Yorker

And I got worried.

BMC Health Services Research

The nurses at the dispensary got worried.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"If he senses that I'm scared, he'll get worried too," she said.

The New York Times

Burnham's intervention follows a warning by Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, that he would "start to get worried" if he had to cut police numbers below 30,000.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "he became concerned" in professional or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he got worried" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated language, such as "he grew apprehensive" or "he became concerned", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he got worried" functions as a statement describing a change in emotional state. It indicates that someone transitioned into a state of anxiety or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, and the examples show it used to describe reactions to various stressful situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he got worried" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone experiencing a feeling of anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While primarily found in news and media, it can also appear in science contexts. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "he became concerned" or "he grew apprehensive". It's important to distinguish it from "he was scared", which implies a more intense feeling of fear. Overall, "he got worried" is a practical and relatable expression for describing emotional responses to challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he became anxious

Replaces "got" with "became", indicating a gradual shift into a state of anxiety.

he grew concerned

Similar to "became anxious", but emphasizes a more thoughtful consideration of the worrying situation.

he started to fret

Suggests a more active and perhaps agitated state of worry.

he felt apprehensive

Emphasizes a sense of foreboding or unease about a future event.

he was alarmed

Indicates a sudden and strong feeling of fear or concern.

he panicked

Implies an overwhelming and uncontrolled sense of fear and worry.

he lost his composure

Focuses on the outward manifestation of worry, suggesting a loss of control.

he had misgivings

Highlights doubts and concerns about a decision or course of action.

he took fright

Suggests sudden fear and alarm, often in response to an immediate threat.

he showed trepidation

Implies visible signs of anxiety and apprehension.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he got worried"?

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

Is "he got worried" too informal for professional writing?

While acceptable in many contexts, "he got worried" can be considered informal for professional or academic writing. Using phrases like "he became concerned" or "he felt apprehensive" might be more appropriate.

How does "he got worried" differ from "he was scared"?

"He got worried" implies a sense of concern and anxiety, often about a potential or future event. "He was scared" suggests a more immediate and intense feeling of fear. The former is about apprehension, the latter about fear itself.

Which is correct, "he got worried" or "he became worried"?

Both "he got worried" and "he became worried" are grammatically correct. "He got worried" is slightly more informal, while "he became worried" conveys a more gradual shift into a state of worry.