it was worrying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was worrying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express concern or anxiety about a situation or event that has occurred in the past. Example: "After hearing the news about the rising crime rates in our neighborhood, it was worrying to think about our safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Davies said it was worrying that many were going abroad.

The Guardian

It was worrying to see Le Monde's banner headline: "Le 11 Septembre Français".

Independent

It was worrying because they wouldn't tell us what was going on.

The Guardian

Chris Ball, of the magazine Carp-Talk, said it was worrying news.

The Guardian

I think fear had crept in to the side and that it was worrying about little things too much.

Independent

You could see the smoke coming through so it was worrying, especially with the petrol station so near".

Independent

But it was worrying at the time because we'd already done two weeks of shooting, I think.

The Guardian - Film

It was worrying that almost half of respondents thought the party ought to switch its leader before next May.

The Guardian

Prof Hallam said it was worrying that teachers had to fight to get music properly recognised in schools.

The Guardian

She said it was worrying that the police could destroy files to "hide what they were keeping on me".

The Guardian

Labour said it was worrying that just 24 hours after Hunt's statement to the House of Commons there was confusion over the new screening programme.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was worrying" to express concern about a specific past event or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the worry.

Common error

Avoid using "it was worrying" without clearly specifying what the 'it' refers to. Always provide context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying simply “It was worrying”, specify what the source of concern actually was. Instead use something like: "The lack of progress on the project meant that "it was worrying"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was worrying" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing concern or anxiety about a past event or situation. As shown in Ludwig AI, the phrase is frequently used to convey unease or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was worrying" is a common and grammatically correct way to express concern about a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports. To ensure clarity, always specify what the 'it' refers to. When aiming for a more formal tone, alternatives like "it was concerning" or "it raised concerns" can be used. Overall, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of unease or anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was concerning

Replaces "worrying" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

it was alarming

Emphasizes a greater sense of urgency or danger compared to "worrying".

it was troubling

Suggests a more persistent or deeply unsettling feeling.

it was unsettling

Highlights the disturbance or unease caused by the situation.

it gave cause for concern

Shifts the focus to the reason for worry rather than the feeling itself.

it raised concerns

Similar to 'gave cause for concern' but more direct.

it was a cause for anxiety

Focuses on the anxiety provoked.

it was a matter of concern

Highlights the importance of the issue.

it was a source of apprehension

Emphasizes the anticipation of negative events.

it filled me with dread

Conveys a stronger feeling of fear or foreboding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was worrying" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "it was concerning", "it was a matter of concern", or "it raised concerns".

What's the difference between "it was worrying" and "it is worrying"?

"It was worrying" refers to a past situation that caused concern, while "it is worrying" refers to a present situation causing concern. The tense indicates the timing of the worry.

When is it appropriate to use "it was worrying" in writing?

Use "it was worrying" when you want to express concern or anxiety about a past event or situation. Make sure the context makes it clear what you're referring to.

What are some less common synonyms for "it was worrying"?

Less common synonyms include "it was troubling", "it was unsettling", or "it filled me with dread", which conveys a stronger sense of fear.