overly concerned with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly concerned with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is excessively worried or preoccupied with a particular issue or topic. Example: "She is overly concerned with her appearance, often spending hours getting ready each day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Opinion

Lifestyle

Wiki

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Economists were not overly concerned with the weaker reports.

The New York Times

They are not overly concerned with their father's career.

The Guardian

This story of an intellectually ambitious 19th-century woman is not overly concerned with her femaleness.

The New York Times - Books

"Larry thought I was overly concerned with the risks of derivatives," Rubin writes.

The New Yorker

Manager Joe Girardi did not seem overly concerned with Sabathia's bout of wildness.

The New York Times - Sports

Wickenden doesn't seem overly concerned with the interior lives of her subjects.

The New York Times - Books

Despite that, Granderson remains positive and is not overly concerned with his postseason struggles.

The New York Times - Sports

Doctor Who seems to be overly concerned with death at the moment.

Independent

He has the air of a man not overly concerned with money or luxurious living.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Up until now I cannot say I have been overly concerned with female vicars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Others say he is overly concerned with courting politicians.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use stronger verbs or adverbs to add impact. For example, instead of "overly concerned", consider "obsessively preoccupied" or "unduly anxious".

Common error

Avoid using "overly concerned with" when a reasonable level of concern is warranted. Ensure the situation justifies the descriptor of being "overly" concerned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly concerned with" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing a state of excessive worry or preoccupation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The examples show it describing people, organizations or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overly concerned with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an excessive level of worry or preoccupation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sports contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the descriptor of being "overly" concerned. Alternatives include "excessively preoccupied with" and "unduly worried about". Overall, the phrase is versatile and effective for expressing disapproval of excessive concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively preoccupied with

Changes the verb and preposition while maintaining the sense of excessive preoccupation.

unduly worried about

Replaces "concerned" with "worried" and "overly" with "unduly", indicating an inappropriate level of worry.

inordinately anxious about

Substitutes "concerned" with "anxious" and "overly" with "inordinately", emphasizing anxiety.

disproportionately focused on

Shifts from concern to focus, highlighting an imbalance in attention.

obsessively thinking about

Emphasizes the obsessive nature of the concern.

excessively attentive to

Focuses on the excessive attention given to something.

unduly bothered by

Highlights the state of being bothered or disturbed excessively.

unduly stressed about

Highlights the excessive stress or pressure felt regarding something.

overly fixated on

Implies a strong and often irrational focus or obsession.

unnecessarily worried about

Highlights the unnecessity and possible inappropriateness of the worry.

FAQs

How can I use "overly concerned with" in a sentence?

You can use "overly concerned with" to describe someone who is excessively worried or preoccupied with something. For example, "She is overly concerned with her appearance, often spending hours getting ready each day."

What are some alternatives to "overly concerned with"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively preoccupied with", "unduly worried about", or "inordinately anxious about" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "overly concerned with"?

Yes, "overly concerned with" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe an excessive level of concern.

What's the difference between "overly concerned with" and "appropriately concerned with"?

"Overly concerned with" indicates an excessive or disproportionate level of worry, while "appropriately concerned with" suggests a reasonable and justified level of concern in a given situation.