little worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'little worry' is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to a problem or concern that is not serious. For example, "Since the problem was small, there was little worry that it would cause any serious issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There seems to be little worry among Trump advisers.

The Washington Post

But Mr. Marschall betrays little worry about losing his niche.

The New York Times

The legal setback seemed of little worry to Mr. Pence.

The New York Times

Mr. Gilbert, in an interview last week between concerts for schoolchildren, expressed little worry about attendance.

The New York Times - Arts

Consumers, Cunningham said, had "a little worry that they would be bland".

The New Yorker

With the Devils tearing up the league, there is little worry about Parise's slump.

The New York Times

Temperatures are usually moderate, and there would have been little worry about snow.

The New York Times

There should also be little worry about the inflationary consequences of keeping the deficit around 3% of GDP.

The Economist

And there is little worry that South Sudan will look so attractive as to encourage secession elsewhere.

The Economist

While the Fed is predicting significantly slower growth in 2019, Powell indicated there was little worry about a recession.

The Washington Post

It's as if he unpicks every little worry, every little situation, and weaves it into an engrossing and brilliant story.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little worry", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the reduced concern. Provide enough information for the reader to understand why the worry is minimal.

Common error

Avoid using "little worry" when there is absolutely no concern at all. Using phrases like "no worry" or "no concern" are more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little worry" functions as a quantifier plus a noun, indicating a reduced level of concern or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of diminished apprehension about a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little worry" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a minimal degree of concern or anxiety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reporting to academic discussions. It serves to reassure or downplay potential issues. The phrase is most prevalent in News & Media, but also appears frequently in academic and scientific contexts. When using "little worry", ensure the context clarifies why the concern is minimal, and avoid using it when there is no concern at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal concern

Focuses on the degree of concern, suggesting it is at a minimum level.

hardly any worry

Uses a different quantifier to express the scarcity of worry.

reduced concern

Indicates a decrease in the level of concern, rather than a complete absence.

slight apprehension

Highlights a small amount of unease or anticipation of potential problems.

small amount of worry

More explicitly quantifies the worry as a small amount.

limited anxiety

Similar to minor anxiety, but emphasizes a restriction or cap on the anxiety felt.

minor anxiety

Emphasizes the low intensity of anxiety experienced.

scant concern

Highlights the insufficient or limited nature of concern.

negligible unease

Stresses the insignificance of the feeling of unease.

not particularly worried

Expresses a moderate lack of worry, less direct than "little worry".

FAQs

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

You can use "little worry" to indicate a minimal amount of concern about a situation. For example, "There is "little worry" about the project's deadline because we are ahead of schedule."

What phrases are similar to "little worry"?

Alternatives to "little worry" include phrases such as "minimal concern", "slight apprehension", or "minor anxiety", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "little worry" or "no worry"?

The choice between "little worry" and "no worry" depends on the context. "Little worry" suggests some concern exists, albeit minimal, while "no worry" implies a complete absence of concern.

Can "little worry" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "little worry" can be used in formal writing. Although phrases like "minimal concern" might be preferred in some contexts, "little worry" is perfectly acceptable, particularly in news and media or business communications.