heightened worries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightened worries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increase in anxiety or concern about a particular issue or situation. Example: "The recent events have led to heightened worries among the community regarding safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

All this has heightened worries over maintenance.

The New York Times

That heightened worries that other central banks — the Federal Reserve in particular — will soon pull back on pumping money into the financial system.

The New York Times

The news of the hiring, just a week after Kodak unexpectedly tapped its credit line, heightened worries about the viability of the company's turnaround plan.

The New York Times

The terrorism act has heightened worries in Malaysia over a deepening crackdown on civil liberties launched by the government in the wake of a 2013 election setback.

The Guardian

Brent crude fell by 3% to below $52 a barrel, as cuts to monthly oil selling prices for European buyers by Saudi Arabia heightened worries about oversupply.

The Guardian - Business

The turmoil has heightened worries about how states and towns, particularly poorer ones, will pay their bills as a weakening housing market and potential recession squeeze tax revenues.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But we want to be crazy on our own terms, not on the terms of a medical profession that, were it any good, would have already banished all illness and most death, thus obviating the need for our heightened worry.

The New Yorker

An important question is whether heightened worrying is secondary to deficits in the frontal cortical control of attention or an independent feature of anxiety, understudied in terms of its brain mechanisms.

Cerebral Cortex

Further confirmation of China's slowdown will heighten worries over the futility of a series of moves by Beijing to shore up growth and investor confidence.

The Guardian - Business

It heightens worries that, as the west prepares to leave and the government seeks to negotiate some kind of peace deal with insurgents, women's rights will become a bargaining chip.

The Guardian

The general's remarks are also likely to heighten worries that India's repeated threats to go to war with Pakistan are serious, not just bluffs aimed at getting Pakistan to act and "frightening the Americans into bringing peace to the subcontinent on Indian terms," as P. R. Chari, a retired Indian defense ministry official, put it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heightened worries", consider the intensity of the concern you wish to express; stronger alternatives exist for severe anxiety, such as "escalating anxieties".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "heightened worries" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "more worried" or "increasing concerns" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened worries" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb. It typically describes a state of increased anxiety or concern, as seen in the Ludwig AI examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heightened worries" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression, primarily used in news and media contexts to describe an increase in anxiety or concern. While appropriate for formal and semi-formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. Ludwig AI confirms that "heightened worries" is correct and usable in written English. Related phrases include "increased concerns" and "amplified anxieties", offering nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased concerns

Focuses on concern rather than worry, implying a more general feeling of unease.

amplified anxieties

Uses 'anxieties' which suggests a more intense level of worry.

growing unease

Emphasizes the gradual increase in discomfort or anxiety.

intensified fears

Highlights the strengthening of fears, suggesting a more specific and potent worry.

escalating concerns

Indicates a rapid increase in the level of worry or concern.

mounting anxieties

Implies a gradual accumulation of anxieties over time.

rising apprehensions

Uses 'apprehensions', suggesting a more formal and cautious type of worry.

deepening anxieties

Focuses on how the worries are becoming more entrenched.

strengthened fears

Highlights the idea that the fears have become more powerful.

growing misgivings

Suggests a growing sense of doubt or unease about something.

FAQs

How can I use "heightened worries" in a sentence?

You can use "heightened worries" to describe a situation where concerns or anxieties have increased. For example: "The recent news has led to "heightened worries" about the economy."

What are some alternatives to "heightened worries"?

Alternatives include "increased concerns", "amplified anxieties", or "growing unease" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "heightened worries" formal or informal?

"Heightened worries" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "more worried" or "increasing concerns" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "heightened worries" and "increased concerns"?

While similar, "heightened worries" implies a potentially more emotional or anxious response compared to "increased concerns", which can be a more neutral expression of worry.