private worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concern or anxiety that someone keeps to themselves, not shared with others. Example: "She had a private worry about her job security that she didn't want to discuss with her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Cameron loyalists have another private worry.

Independent

Bridgman's was a private worry, but there were more public outcries.

The New Yorker

She also knew his private worry about fitting in on the West Coast: He did not know how to surf.

The New York Times

I also had a private worry that she might be a pregnant adolescent — her belly was so round, and she slept all the time.

The New Yorker

Wedged into the banter, one of the best scenes is a quiet sequence of the family's black sheep, T.J. — who was outed as a teen-ager while growing up in the White House — playing the piano as his family looks on, flooded with private worry.

The New Yorker

The real possibility that work on key venues may not be done according to timetable, requiring extra payments to contractors to hire more labour - as happened in Athens before the 2004 event - is a private worry for the senior people in the 2012 team.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In spite of his public bravado, Valdez nursed private worries.

The New Yorker

Not for failing to disclose to investors his private worries about subprime loans.

The New York Times

We spoke to each other often, sometimes daily, relating the day's events or sharing private worries or feelings.

The Guardian - Books

It is easier for individuals to change their persona than to alter their anima – which contains patterns of private worries and feelings.

Independent

Whatever their private worries, dealers are doing their best to describe Amazon's incursion into the fine-art arena as a good thing for all concerned.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private worry" to express a concern that someone keeps to themselves, often due to its personal or sensitive nature. It's useful when emphasizing the internal struggle.

Common error

Avoid using "private worry" when describing general anxiety or worries shared openly. Reserve it for concerns kept hidden or not readily apparent to others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private worry" functions as a noun phrase, where "private" modifies the noun "worry". Ludwig shows it typically describes a concern or anxiety that someone keeps to themselves.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "private worry" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a concern or anxiety kept hidden from others. As noted by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as science, indicating a neutral register. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a sense of unspoken or concealed concern. Alternative phrases such as "personal anxiety" or "secret concern" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private concern

Replaces "worry" with a more neutral term "concern".

personal anxiety

Focuses on the anxiety being a personal feeling.

secret concern

Highlights the hidden nature of the concern.

unspoken fear

Emphasizes that the fear is not expressed.

hidden anxiety

Stresses that the anxiety is concealed.

internal apprehension

Highlights the feeling of unease originating within oneself.

personal trepidation

Indicates a more formal and intense personal fear.

individual unease

Emphasizes the personal nature of the discomfort.

inner turmoil

Suggests a deep and unsettling personal struggle.

closeted fear

Implies a fear that is kept secret and hidden away.

FAQs

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

You can use "private worry" to describe a concern that someone keeps to themselves. For example, "She had a "private worry" about her job security that she didn't share with anyone".

What's a good alternative to "private worry"?

Alternatives include "personal anxiety", "secret concern", or "unspoken fear", depending on the context.

Is "private worry" a formal or informal expression?

"Private worry" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more often found in written than spoken language.

When should I not use the phrase "private worry"?

Avoid using "private worry" when the concern is openly discussed or widely known. It's best used when the worry is concealed or personal.