i was concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing worry or unease about a situation or someone's well-being in the past. Example: "I was concerned about the project's progress and wanted to discuss it with the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was concerned.

The New Yorker

"I was concerned," Cano said.

The New York Times - Sports

Dubinsky said: "I was concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

But I was concerned.

The Guardian - Sport

At first I was concerned.

Princeton University

I was concerned but not really worried.

The New York Times

But I was concerned about her too.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was concerned before the game.

Independent

I'll admit I was concerned.

The Guardian - Travel

"I was concerned about it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

MG: Yes, I was concerned.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i was concerned", follow it with a prepositional phrase (e.g., "i was concerned about...") or a 'that' clause to specify the object of your concern.

Common error

Avoid using "i was concerned" when a stronger emotion is more appropriate. If you experienced fear or extreme worry, more potent phrasing like "i was terrified" or "i was deeply worried" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was concerned" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past feeling of worry or unease. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show it used in various contexts to convey concerns about people, situations, or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i was concerned" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express a past feeling of worry or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it is also present in academic and formal settings. While "i was concerned" maintains a neutral register suitable for broad audiences, writers should be mindful of choosing stronger phrasing if the experienced emotion was more intense. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, one can effectively employ this phrase to convey past states of worry or apprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i felt worried

Changes "concerned" to a more direct synonym, "worried", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

i started to worry

Focuses on the initiation of worry, highlighting the beginning of the feeling.

i was uneasy

Replaces "concerned" with "uneasy", indicating a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

i became apprehensive

Substitutes "concerned" with "apprehensive", suggesting a sense of fear about what might happen.

i felt a sense of unease

More explicitly describes a feeling of unease, emphasizing the emotional experience.

i had misgivings

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression indicating doubts or hesitations.

i had reservations

Indicates a holding back or hesitations about something, similar to having concerns.

i grew anxious

Shifts the focus to the development of anxiety over time, rather than a static state of concern.

i feared

Simplifies the phrase to a direct statement of fear, which can be stronger than "concerned".

i was skeptical

Shifts the focus to doubt and questioning, rather than direct worry.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "i was concerned"?

You can use alternatives like "i felt worried", "i became apprehensive", or "i started to worry" depending on the context.

How to use "i was concerned" in a sentence?

Follow "i was concerned" with a prepositional phrase such as "i was concerned about the deadline" or a 'that' clause like "i was concerned that we wouldn't finish on time".

Is it correct to say "i am concerned" instead of "i was concerned"?

Yes, "i am concerned" is correct, but it refers to a current state of worry, whereas "i was concerned" refers to a past state.

What's the difference between "i was concerned" and "i was worried"?

While both express worry, "i was concerned" can sometimes imply a more formal or professional setting, while "i was worried" is generally more informal and direct. They are largely interchangeable in many contexts.