intense worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intense worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or overwhelming feeling of concern or anxiety about something. Example: "After hearing the news, I was filled with intense worry about my family's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We know the separation in these incidents causes intense worry and fear," he said.

The New York Times

When Jack has his most intense worry about who will die first out of him and Babette, he interrupts his thought stream with that "Mastercard, Visa, American Express".

The Guardian - Books

The feminist theorist Hélène Cixous, who took up Lispector's work in the 1970s as a prime example of what she calls "écriture féminine", identifies "an intense worry" running through her work.

The Guardian - Books

Schumer, talking in general about events since the terrorist attacks, says that he has never nursed such a sustained, intense worry about every step being just right, nor has he experienced such a profound sense of obligation, a word that Clinton also uses.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the intense worry that many people experienced in the hours of chaos was part of the motivation behind a new service from Ushahidi, called Ping.

BBC

When you mix intense worry into the equation, self-confidences erodes and the artistic flow becomes suppressed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Many patients cannot even pronounce the word cancer due to their intense worries of death and dying.

BMC Health Services Research

High scores on the attachment anxiety dimension indicate intense worries about separation and fear of abandonment by an intimate partner (e.g., "I get frustrated if romantic partners are not available when I need them").

Behavior Genetics

Hundreds of methodically flown circles, hour upon hour of intense staring, worrying about fickle snow conditions and flying conditions we depend on for counting moose.

The New York Times

In evaluating children with behavioral or emotional problems, we sometimes forget that youngsters may experience intense unhappiness, sadness, worry and anger that are an appropriate, understandable response to the reality of their lives.

The New York Times

The maneuvering has grown intense as Republicans worry they will lose a seat — the only Republican-held seat in the New York City Congressional delegation — that their party has held for nearly 30 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states, use "intense worry" to effectively communicate a high degree of anxiety or concern, particularly in situations where a milder term would understate the true feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "intense worry" in extremely formal or academic writing where more nuanced or technical language may be preferred. Consider substituting it with phrases like "profound concern" or "acute apprehension" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense worry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "intense" modifies the noun "worry", intensifying the degree or level of concern. As stated by Ludwig, it correctly describes a strong feeling of concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intense worry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a significant level of anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness across various contexts. While suitable for general and news contexts, it may require careful consideration in more formal writing. Alternatives such as "deep anxiety" or "profound concern" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone. Understanding these nuances allows writers to effectively convey the intended emotional weight in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep anxiety

Replaces "worry" with "anxiety" and "intense" with "deep", altering the emotional tone slightly.

extreme anxiety

Replaces "intense" with "extreme", maintaining a similar level of severity.

profound concern

Substitutes "worry" with "concern" and "intense" with "profound", suggesting a more thoughtful and serious level of worry.

overwhelming concern

This phrase emphasizes that the worry is so great that it is difficult to manage.

serious concern

Replaces "intense" with "serious", indicating a weighty worry.

grave concern

Uses "grave" instead of "intense" to emphasize the severity of the worry.

acute apprehension

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "intense worry" with "acute apprehension" to convey a sense of unease.

consuming anxiety

This phrase emphasizes how the anxiety dominates one's thoughts or feelings.

deep unease

Replaces "worry" with "unease", suggesting a lack of comfort or peace of mind, while "deep" replaces "intense".

extreme disquiet

Replaces "worry" with "disquiet" to describe a feeling of anxiety or worry.

FAQs

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

You can use "intense worry" to describe a strong feeling of anxiety or concern. For example, "The news filled her with "intense worry" about her family's safety."

What can I say instead of "intense worry"?

Alternatives to "intense worry" include "deep anxiety", "profound concern", or "acute apprehension", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "intense worry" a formal expression?

"Intense worry" is suitable for a range of contexts, but may not be ideal for highly formal or academic writing. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "grave concern" or "deep apprehension".

What situations are best suited for using the phrase "intense worry"?

The phrase "intense worry" is best used when describing situations that evoke a significant degree of anxiety, fear, or concern. This could include personal crises, serious news events, or situations with high stakes.