instill worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instill worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of causing someone to feel concern or anxiety about something. Example: "The news of the impending storm began to instill worry among the residents of the coastal town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is their capacity to instill worry.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yes, there were a few stares and whispers (mostly from parents), but as I've always tried to instill in my son, we can't worry about what everyone else thinks.

Huffington Post

But many military leaders worry that the approach exploits, for private profit, the obedience, trust and loyalty that they work to instill in troops.

The New York Times

I worry, worry, worry".

The New York Times

Flu and cold symptoms, so common this time of year, can instill the same worry in any American these days.

The New York Times

If Recargo's PlugShare app for iOS and Android can instill confidence in potential EV buyers so they're not worried about ending up stranded, sales could accelerate.

TechCrunch

Asked if they were worried that such low-drama minimalism might instead instill boredom, Tobias said, "What we find appealing (about simple things is) how they work with just a few elements, they achieve a lot".

Vice

The glowing reports run counter to predictions from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service, worriedorried as recently as late January that the gyrations of the stock market might instill a degree of restraint among prospective home buyers.

The New York Times

I'm really worried for her, worried.

BMC Nursing

We evaluated a brief intervention for primary care back pain patients designed to provide accurate information about back pain, instill attitudes favorable towards self care, reduce fears and worries, assist patients in developing personalized action plans to manage their back pain, and improve functional outcomes.

Pain

Florence Mayor Dario Nardella delivered one of the most soulful speeches, first mentioning the recent attack in Istanbul and reminding us that we all need to "fight the fear, fight the oppression, fight this nagging worry," that groups trying to instill terror on the world are inspiring, deep in our hearts.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instill worry", ensure the context clearly indicates who is experiencing the worry and what is causing it. For example, "The constant delays began to "instill worry" in the investors."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "instill worry" can sound overly dramatic in formal or business settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "arouse concern" or "generate anxiety" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instill worry" functions as a verb phrase, where "instill" acts as a transitive verb taking "worry" as its direct object. This construction describes the action of causing worry to develop in someone or something. Ludwig AI's assessment confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instill worry" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of causing concern or anxiety. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. Although examples are relatively rare, alternative phrases such as "arouse concern" or "generate anxiety" can be employed depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Ensure the context is clear regarding who or what is experiencing the worry. Use alternatives in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate anxiety

Highlights the creation of anxiety, emphasizing a psychological state.

prompt anxiety

Suggests directly causing an anxious state.

induce anxiety

Suggests a more clinical or forceful causation of anxiety.

arouse concern

Focuses on evoking a feeling of concern, rather than necessarily anxiety.

breed anxiety

Emphasizes the development and growth of anxiety over time.

inspire concern

Focuses on inspiring a feeling of concern, potentially less intense than worry.

create unease

Emphasizes a feeling of discomfort and lack of peace.

foster apprehension

Implies a gradual development of apprehension.

trigger apprehension

Highlights the act of initiating a feeling of apprehension.

plant seeds of doubt

Focuses on the subtle introduction of uncertainty and worry.

FAQs

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

Use "instill worry" to describe the act of causing someone to feel concern or anxiety about something. For example: "The lack of communication from the company began to "instill worry" among the employees".

What are some alternatives to "instill worry"?

You can use alternatives such as "arouse concern", "generate anxiety", or "foster apprehension" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "instill worry" a formal or informal expression?

"Instill worry" leans towards a neutral tone and can be used in both news and media contexts. For more formal settings, consider "arouse concern". In contrast, for informal context, consider the synonym "get someone worried".

What's the difference between "instill worry" and "cause anxiety"?

"Instill worry" implies a gradual introduction of concern, whereas "cause anxiety" suggests a more direct and immediate impact. For example, a long-term threat can "instill worry", while a sudden event can "cause anxiety".