legitimate worry

USAGE SUMMARY

"legitimate worry" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a concern or anxiety that is reasonable or justified. You can use "legitimate worry" in any situation where someone has a valid reason to be worried. For example: - After the recent data breach, there is a legitimate worry among customers about the security of their personal information. - As a parent, it's natural to have legitimate worries about your child's safety when they start driving. - Many people have legitimate worries about the effects of climate change on the future of our planet. - The therapist assured her that her feelings of anxiety were a legitimate worry and that it was important to address them. - The company's financial struggles are a legitimate worry for employees who fear potential layoffs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

This phenomenon, known as adverse selection, is a legitimate worry.

The New York Times - Health

This was perhaps a bizarre simile, but it captured a legitimate worry.

The New York Times

There is truth to this, and perhaps some legitimate worry that televising the proceedings could debase them in some way.

The Economist

That is a legitimate worry, even if it will be a couple of years before the fog clears.

The Guardian - Business

There was a time when he kept that private, and worried that it would muddy the perception of his work, which was a legitimate worry, by the way.

The New York Times

Because if the allegations were true, are true, he had a legitimate worry about somebody fleeing this country, and we'd never get them back".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

These are legitimate worries.

The Economist

The emerging economies have some legitimate worries.

The New York Times

There are more legitimate worries, mainly about safety.

The New York Times

And how can you prevent legitimate worries about fairness from shading into xenophobia and protectionism?

The Economist

Still, in some areas the light sales activity can cause legitimate worries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimate worry" to acknowledge a concern is not frivolous but based on reason or evidence. This adds credibility to your argument or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate worry" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "valid concern" or "justified apprehension" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate worry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "legitimate" modifies the noun "worry". It introduces a subject or concern deemed valid or justifiable. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate worry" is a commonly used phrase to describe a concern or anxiety that is reasonable and justified. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it finds frequent usage in news, media, and scientific contexts. To improve your writing, remember to use it when acknowledging a concern based on reason, and avoid overusing it by substituting it with alternatives such as ""valid concern"" or "justified apprehension". By incorporating these guidelines, you can effectively communicate concerns with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid concern

Focuses on the validity of the concern, emphasizing its factual basis.

justifiable concern

This emphasizes the concern is defensible, given the circumstances.

valid anxiety

Similar to 'valid concern' but focuses specifically on anxiety.

justified apprehension

Highlights the justification behind the feeling of unease or anxiety.

reasonable anxiety

Emphasizes the rationality and understandability of the anxiety.

understandable concern

Stresses that the concern is easily comprehended and expected.

well-founded fear

Indicates that the fear has a strong basis in reality or evidence.

genuine unease

Underscores the sincerity and authenticity of the feeling of unease.

defensible anxiety

Focuses on the reasons why the anxiety may be considered appropriate or warranted.

real apprehension

Highlights the tangibility and substantiality of the apprehension.

FAQs

What does "legitimate worry" mean?

A "legitimate worry" signifies a concern or anxiety that is reasonable, justified, or based on credible evidence. It suggests that the worry is not unfounded or frivolous.

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

You can use "legitimate worry" to introduce a concern that has a valid basis. For example: "After the security breach, customers have a "valid concern" about their personal data."

What are some alternatives to "legitimate worry"?

You can use alternatives like ""valid concern"", "justified apprehension", or "reasonable anxiety" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "legitimate worry" and "unfounded fear"?

"Legitimate worry" implies there is a reasonable basis for concern, while "unfounded fear" suggests the fear is not based on facts or logic.