initial worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a concern or anxiety that arises at the beginning of a situation or process. Example: "My initial worry about the project was whether we would meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

No problems under the high ball, which was the initial worry.

The Guardian - Sport

After some initial worry, the two took the protest in stride.

The New York Times - Arts

His initial worry that he would not maintain a healthy flow of inventory proved unfounded.

The New York Times

Inevitably, if anyone goes on a list or database there is that initial worry about how often they will be called upon.

The Guardian

"Our initial worry was that once we were open we would have this flood – but we are reliant on the ambulances".

The Guardian

A token teen-age male lingered to the side, disproving my initial worry that I had unwittingly stumbled upon a sorority meeting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

O'Neill's initial worries about New York were standard issue: big city, intimidating place.

The New York Times - Sports

Jim Gold, president and chief merchandising officer of upmarket US department store Neiman Marcus, admits to initial worries about stocking the collection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite initial worries, the demonstration was largely peaceful, with the police estimating that about 150,000 people took part.

The New York Times

My own presentation went quite well, after some initial worries that my laptop would refuse to work with the projector screen too.

The Guardian

Mr Lewis described how his initial worries about the possibility of being hoaxed over the story turned into a feeling that he had a "responsibility" to publish it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial worry", ensure that the context clearly indicates how the worry evolved or was resolved later in the situation. This provides a complete narrative and avoids leaving the reader with unresolved anxiety.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of the "initial worry". It's crucial to present it as a starting point that may have been alleviated or proven unfounded, rather than implying it remained a dominant factor throughout the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial worry" functions as a noun phrase, where 'initial' modifies the noun 'worry'. It describes a state of concern or anxiety that exists at the beginning of a situation or process, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial worry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a concern at the beginning of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct and usable in written English. While appropriate for diverse contexts, it's crucial to consider the evolution or resolution of this initial concern to provide a complete narrative. Although interchangeable with alternatives such as "early concern" or "original anxiety", the best choice depends on the specific nuance and formality level desired. The phrase is most common in news and media and science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early concern

Focuses on the concern being at an early stage. It's slightly more formal.

original anxiety

Emphasizes the anxiety being the first one experienced. Directly interchangeable.

starting concern

Highlights the concern at the beginning. Directly interchangeable.

first concern

Focuses on the concern being at an early stage. Directly interchangeable.

primary apprehension

Highlights the initial fear or anxiety. More formal and intense.

preliminary worry

Indicates a worry that is introductory or preparatory. More formal.

initial fear

Focuses specifically on the emotion of fear at the outset.

initial apprehension

Highlights the initial feeling of anxiety or fear. Directly interchangeable.

first misgiving

Implies a feeling of doubt or unease from the start.

early trepidation

Implies a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that might happen. More formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial worry" to describe a concern at the beginning of a situation. For example: "The company's "initial worry" was whether they would secure funding for the project".

What's the difference between "initial worry" and "primary concern"?

"Initial worry" refers specifically to a concern at the start, while "primary concern" implies the most significant concern, which might not necessarily be the first one. The two phrases can eventually be used interchangeably.

What can I say instead of "initial worry"?

Alternatives include "early concern", "original anxiety", or "first misgiving", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "initial worry" too informal for professional writing?

No, "initial worry" is suitable for professional writing. While it's not overly formal, it's a clear and concise way to express an early concern. Consider alternatives like "preliminary concern" for a more formal tone.