specific worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specific worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular concern or anxiety that someone has about a situation or topic. Example: "Her specific worry about the project was whether the deadline could be met."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Higher cancer specific worry, higher perceived susceptibility, and reporting being a little worried or anxious since invitation to screening were found to reliably predict high subjective stress regarding prostate cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

Multivariate stepwise regression modelling revealed that higher cancer specific worry, (P=0.001) finding the psychosocial evaluation itself helpful, (P=0.02) reporting being a little worried or anxious since invitation to screening (P=0.01) and higher perceived susceptibility (P=0.005) reliably predict high IES scores.

British Journal of Cancer

His specific worry, based on one unfortunate experience, was of overexcitement, of what he had heard someone describe as "arriving too soon".

The New Yorker

As the glow of righteousness dissipates, right-wing populists and others will have a chance to exploit both that specific worry and a more general unease about Muslims which fears of terror serve to strengthen.

The Economist

Already its spokesmen have been demanding the abolition of India's disinvestment ministry, which oversees its privatisation programme.The future of privatisation, which in recent months has given the stockmarket a boost, is one specific worry for investors.

The Economist

Justice for bosses Reprints Related items Corporate crime: Bosses behind barsJun 10th 2004A more specific worry is that the recommended sentences are too strictly defined and are too closely tied to the notion of the loss caused by a fraud.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

This may relate to greater pregnancy specific worries [ 8, 9], specifically in relation to there being something wrong with the baby, caring for the baby and giving birth [ 10].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Each market has specific worries.

The Economist

But I have very specific worries about the birthing process that need addressing before I embark on raising my family of young Morselets.

Independent

Documents released by Barclays show that Mr. Turner wrote to the bank's chairman, Marcus Agius, in April, detailing specific worries about corporate governance.

The New York Times

But he played down specific worries about a souring of home mortgages, since home buyers in China must make down payments of at least 30 percent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specific worry" when you want to emphasize that the anxiety is not general but is related to a particular aspect or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "specific worry" when the context implies a general sense of anxiety. Ensure that the worry is clearly tied to a particular element or situation to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific worry" functions as a noun phrase, where "specific" modifies the noun "worry", indicating a particular or defined concern. Ludwig highlights this as a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "specific worry" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, according to Ludwig. It serves to pinpoint a particular source of anxiety rather than a general feeling of unease. While most frequently found in scientific and news-related content, it is generally understood and applicable in diverse contexts. When using "specific worry", ensure that the context clearly defines the nature of the worry to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "particular concern" or "distinct anxiety" can be used to add nuance, but it's essential to maintain the clarity and focus on the defined issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular concern

Emphasizes the focus on a distinct and identifiable concern.

distinct anxiety

Highlights the clear and separate nature of the anxiety.

defined apprehension

Stresses the clear and well-defined nature of the apprehension.

particular fear

Highlights a certain type of fear.

focused unease

Highlights the concentration of the feeling of unease.

concrete misgiving

Emphasizes the tangible and real nature of the misgiving.

precise concern

Highlights the exact and accurate nature of the concern.

identified worry

Focuses on the worry being clearly recognized and pinpointed.

certain dread

Highlights the conviction of a certain negative future outcome.

localized anxiety

Emphasizes that the anxiety is confined to a particular area or situation.

FAQs

How to use "specific worry" in a sentence?

You can use "specific worry" to highlight a particular concern. For example, "Her "specific worry" was about meeting the project deadline".

What can I say instead of "specific worry"?

Alternatives include "particular concern", "distinct anxiety", or "defined apprehension". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "specific worry" or "general anxiety"?

"Specific worry" refers to a particular concern, while "general anxiety" describes a broader, less defined sense of unease. Use "specific worry" when addressing a particular issue, and "general anxiety" when discussing a broader emotional state.

What's the difference between "specific worry" and "concern"?

"Concern" is a general feeling of worry or unease, while "specific worry" emphasizes that the concern is focused on a particular issue. The addition of "specific" clarifies and limits the scope of the worry.