severe worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a high level of concern or anxiety about a particular situation or issue. Example: "The recent events have caused severe worry among the community regarding their safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This feeling of having the utmost responsibility for glucose level control during labour was associated with severe worry in several women.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

He added, "It's a severe worry for the government of Mexico".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's one of the most severe worries about all this".

The New York Times

While common headaches with typical pain characteristics are not considered a risk factor for the development of brain tumors, patients who experience frequent or severe headache often worry about the possibility of a more serious underlying condition such as a life-threatening brain tumor [1,2].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Doctors worry about a severe headache that gets worse, and about any abnormalities on the physical exam or changes that suggest a pathology in the brain.

The New York Times

Weight gain during the prior year of 10 20 pounds was reported by 47% and of >20 pounds by 25% and correlated with experience of more severe hypoglycemia, worry about hypoglycemia, and reduced satisfaction with treatment.

Diabetes Care

In Europe, a study in 25 hospitals and five primary care centres in Spain found that rotavirus-positive gastroenteritis in children aged under 2 years was associated with more severe parental worry and more disruption to household tasks than rotavirus-negative gastroenteritis [ 22].

BMC Pediatrics

Severe headache.

WikiHow

Last year, Mind nationally reported a 50% rise in calls to its support service, Mind Infoline, with callers experiencing severe financial worries.

The Guardian

An investigation by the parliamentary ombudsman found that HS2 Ltd placed six families in Staffordshire under "severe stress and worry", which had a huge impact on their home lives, careers and health.

The Guardian

Suicide is the most severe risk advocates worry about during the winter.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "severe worry" when you want to emphasize the intensity and seriousness of someone's anxiety or concern about a specific situation. It conveys a higher degree of concern than simply saying "worry".

Common error

Avoid using "severe worry" when describing minor concerns or everyday anxieties. The phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant potential negative outcomes or high stakes, as using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe worry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "worry" to intensify its meaning. As shown by Ludwig, it serves to highlight the intensity of the concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe worry" is a valid and usable English phrase that describes a significant level of anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples from sources like The New York Times and scientific publications, mostly across News & Media and Science domains. Although not very frequent, the phrase is best used when the level of concern is genuinely high, distinguishing it from everyday anxieties. Alternatives such as "extreme anxiety" or "intense concern" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extreme anxiety

Replaces "worry" with "anxiety" and "severe" with "extreme", intensifying the emotion.

intense concern

Substitutes "worry" with "concern" and "severe" with "intense", presenting a more formal tone.

deep apprehension

Replaces "worry" with "apprehension" and "severe" with "deep", indicating a formal and serious level of unease.

acute distress

Substitutes "worry" with "distress" and "severe" with "acute", emphasizing a more immediate and sharp emotional pain.

grave misgivings

Replaces "worry" with "misgivings" and "severe" with "grave", highlighting serious doubts or concerns about something.

profound unease

Replaces "worry" with "unease" and "severe" with "profound", suggesting a deep and unsettling feeling.

significant disquiet

Substitutes "worry" with "disquiet" and "severe" with "significant", denoting a notable lack of peace or tranquility.

serious trepidation

Replaces "worry" with "trepidation" and "severe" with "serious", emphasizing a state of fear or anxiety about what might happen.

substantial perturbation

Substitutes "worry" with "perturbation" and "severe" with "substantial", pointing to a considerable disturbance in emotional equilibrium.

major perturbation

Replaces "worry" with "perturbation" and "severe" with "major", indicating disturbance in one's feeling.

FAQs

How does "severe worry" differ from general worry?

"Severe worry" indicates a more intense and profound state of anxiety than simply "worry". It suggests that the concern is significant and potentially debilitating.

What are some synonyms for "severe worry"?

Alternatives include "extreme anxiety", "intense concern", or "deep apprehension". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "severe worry"?

Use "severe worry" when describing serious concerns about health, safety, financial stability, or other significant issues that cause a high level of distress. For example, "severe worry" after a medical diagnosis.

Can "severe worry" be a sign of an underlying mental health condition?

Yes, experiencing "severe worry" can be a symptom of anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions. If the worry is persistent, excessive, and interferes with daily life, seeking professional help is advisable.