slightly worrying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly worrying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express mild concern or unease about a situation or issue. Example: "The recent increase in cyber attacks is slightly worrying for our company's data security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

You could argue that that's slightly worrying.

The Guardian

(It's slightly worrying that he now finds Greenland a more comfortable place to live than Denmark).

The Economist

The flourish reminded me of a similar arboreal creature in "Hellboy II," which was slightly worrying.

The New Yorker

"We wouldn't have visited the organising committee if we'd thought it was only slightly worrying.

The Guardian - Sport

I find Ali Hewson's description of Edun's ethical credentials slightly worrying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Isn't that slightly worrying for those of us who rely on experts knowing what they're doing?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Embarrassed, pregnant pauses contrasted with guilty, slightly worried laughs.

The Guardian

Except that I was slightly worried I might fall asleep..

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm slightly worried that it might be happiness".

The Guardian - Books

"I was slightly worried about my start," Bolt said afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

He laughed at this one, and looked only slightly worried.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly worrying" ensure that the context provides further explanation of why something is worrying in order to offer clarification and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly worrying" repeatedly without explaining the reasons behind the concern. Overuse without context can diminish the impact and leave the audience unsure about the specific issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly worrying" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a mild degree of concern or unease. It qualifies the extent to which something is worrisome, indicating it's not severely alarming but still a cause for slight apprehension, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly worrying" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a mild level of concern. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's best used when you want to acknowledge a potential issue without causing alarm. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you provide enough context to clarify the reason for your concern. Alternatives include "somewhat concerning" or "a bit troubling" depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat concerning

Indicates a moderate level of concern; more formal than "slightly worrying".

a bit troubling

Suggests a mild level of disturbance or worry, often used in informal contexts.

mildly alarming

Emphasizes a slight sense of alarm or apprehension about something.

rather unsettling

Implies a disturbance to one's peace of mind; can suggest a deeper unease.

somewhat disturbing

Highlights the disturbing nature of something to a moderate degree.

mildly concerning

Similar to 'somewhat concerning', but may convey a slightly weaker level of worry.

a little troubling

Very similar to 'a bit troubling', indicating a slight worry.

somewhat alarming

Like 'mildly alarming', emphasizes a slight alarm.

a little concerning

Indicates a minor degree of concern; quite interchangeable with 'slightly worrying'.

moderately worrisome

Expresses a medium level of worry or concern, indicating more gravity than "slightly worrying".

FAQs

How can I use "slightly worrying" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly worrying" to express a mild level of concern, as in, "The decline in website traffic is "slightly worrying", but we're exploring potential causes."

What are some alternatives to "slightly worrying"?

Alternatives include "somewhat concerning", "a bit troubling", or "mildly alarming", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "slightly worrying" instead of "very worrying"?

"Slightly worrying" is suitable when the issue is not severe and doesn't demand immediate attention, whereas "very worrying" indicates a serious problem that requires prompt action.

Is "slightly worrying" formal or informal?

"Slightly worrying" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "somewhat concerning".