sort of worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild or vague concern about something. Example: "I have a sort of worry about how the project will turn out, but I believe we can manage it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

While some of those living directly on the ocean may retreat, others will rebuild without the same sort of worry over what will and won't be compensated.

The New York Times

"I do sort of worry about my ability to do for Livent what I want to do for Livent," he said.

The New York Times

Vietnam's whopping current-account deficit (about 15% of GDP) leaves it exposed to a sudden flight of capital, the sort of worry that has also made Thai banks shaky.The most immediate concern, however, is more quirkily Vietnamese.

The Economist

But set this sort of worry aside.

SEP

Ross is moved in part by this sort of worry.

SEP

Ross seems to acknowledge this sort of worry.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Alexander is not constrained by the sort of worries we are seeing expressed right now," the employee said.

The New Yorker

But even if you put aside the sort of worries about what super-advanced A.I. might do to the labor market, there's another concern, too: that powerful A.I. might threaten us more directly, by battling us for resources.

The New Yorker

Not because of any sort of worries about women overpowering men.

Huffington Post

Concerning reflexivity (16), two sorts of worry may be distinguished.

SEP

Those sorts of worries have a few people from the world of finance suggesting that the administration should do much more, not less.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of worry" to express a mild or hesitant concern, indicating that the worry is not intense or overwhelming. For example, "I have a sort of worry about the weather, but I'm still planning to go."

Common error

Avoid using "sort of worry" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound vague or indecisive. Instead, try to use more specific terms to describe your concern, or use this phrase sparingly to add nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of worry" functions as a qualifier, softening the verb "worry". It indicates a mild or hesitant concern rather than a strong, pronounced anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sort of worry" is a grammatically sound and contextually versatile expression used to convey a mild level of concern. As Ludwig AI states, it's correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it softens the impact of the verb "worry", suggesting a hesitant or limited anxiety. While other phrases like "slightly concerned" or "mildly worried" can be used as alternatives, it's essential to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and precision in writing. The phrase is best used when you want to express that there's some worry, but it's not overwhelming.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kind of concerned

Uses "kind of" as a synonym for "sort of", offering a more informal alternative.

Mildly worried

Directly replaces "sort of" with "mildly", keeping the core meaning intact.

Slightly concerned

Indicates a minimal level of worry, focusing on the mildness of the concern.

A degree of concern

More formal way to express that there's some concern.

Somewhat anxious

Highlights the anxiety aspect, suggesting a feeling of unease or nervousness.

Feeling a touch anxious

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety while also pointing out the mild level

A bit apprehensive

Emphasizes a feeling of anticipation or dread about something that might happen.

Slightly uneasy

Focuses on a lack of comfort or peace of mind, rather than direct worry.

A little bothered

Suggests a minor disturbance or irritation, implying a less intense form of worry.

Having some reservations

Focuses on doubts or hesitations about something, implying a level of worry about potential outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "sort of worry" in a sentence?

You can use "sort of worry" to express a mild or vague concern about something. For instance, "I "sort of worry" about the project's deadline, but I think we can meet it".

What's a more formal alternative to "sort of worry"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a degree of concern" or "some reservations" instead of ""sort of worry"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "sort of worry"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase ""sort of worry"" is a common idiom used to express a mild concern.

What's the difference between "sort of worry" and "really worry"?

"Sort of worry" indicates a minor concern, while "really worry" expresses a much stronger and more significant level of anxiety or concern.