substantial worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant concerns or anxieties about a particular issue or situation. Example: "There is substantial worry among parents regarding the safety of the school environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Still, he said, "there's a substantial worry that he won't do very much" beyond tax reform.

The New York Times

"The AI community does not think its a substantial worry," he said, "whereas the public does think it's much more of an issue".

BBC

Several participants said that their headaches had, at some point, caused them constant and often substantial worry.

BMC Family Practice

Consider a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder in people presenting with anxiety or substantial worry and in people who attend primary care frequently who have a chronic physical health problem or do not have a physical health problem but are seeking reassurance about somatic symptoms or are repeatedly worrying about a wide range of different issues.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But substantial worries persist.

The New York Times

But there were substantial worries over the minerals that are gold dust for the new economy: antimony, used in flame-retardants and micro-electronics; the platinum group of metals, used in catalytic converters, fuel cells, phones and hard discs; and lithium, used in batteries.

BBC

The prices seen last week, it should be noted, did not indicate real worries about a default that continues for a substantial period of time.

The New York Times

But, said Mark V. Pauly, a panel member and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, "the benefits of these vaccines are so substantial that worrying about the last penny of spending seems to be a foolish economy".

The New York Times

Among the participants of our study, a substantial proportion were worried about EVD; however, among those worried, most did not report strong worries.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

All three women showed substantial improvement in worry symptoms, as well as a variety of secondary outcomes following treatment; these gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Cognitive and Behavioral Practice

Even the maximum $4 fee would amount to just 1% of an average vendor's sales, but some farmers and market operators are opposed to a substantial increase and worry that the money would be wasted.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial worry", ensure the context clarifies the specific cause or subject of the worry to provide clarity and relevance for your audience. For instance, "There is substantial worry about the economic impact of the new policy" is more effective than simply stating "There is substantial worry".

Common error

While "substantial worry" is grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler phrases like "big concern" or "major worry" in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial worry" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "worry". It highlights the significant degree or extent of the worry being expressed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial worry" is a grammatically correct and usable expression denoting a significant level of concern or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific cause of the "substantial worry" to provide clarity. While acceptable in formal settings, simpler terms may be preferred in casual conversation. Related phrases such as "significant concern" or "considerable anxiety" can be used as alternatives depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant concern

Replaces "worry" with "concern" and "substantial" with "significant", changing the tone slightly while maintaining a similar meaning.

real concern

Replaces "substantial" with "real", which focuses on the genuineness and importance of the worry.

deep concern

Replaces "substantial" with "deep", focusing on the intensity rather than the amount of worry.

considerable anxiety

Substitutes "worry" with "anxiety" and "substantial" with "considerable", indicating a more intense emotional state.

serious unease

Replaces "worry" with "unease" and "substantial" with "serious", conveying a feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

profound anxiety

Similar to "considerable anxiety", but emphasizes the depth of the anxiety.

major apprehension

Replaces "worry" with "apprehension" and "substantial" with "major", suggesting a formal and heightened sense of unease.

marked apprehension

Similar to "major apprehension", but uses "marked" instead of "major", conveying a noticeable degree of unease.

grave misgiving

Substitutes "worry" with "misgiving" and "substantial" with "grave", which introduces a sense of seriousness.

notable disquiet

Replaces "worry" with "disquiet" and "substantial" with "notable", indicating a disturbance of peace or tranquility.

FAQs

What does "substantial worry" mean?

The phrase "substantial worry" refers to a significant or considerable level of anxiety or concern about something. It indicates that the worry is not minor but rather noteworthy.

What can I say instead of "substantial worry"?

You can use alternatives like "significant concern", "considerable anxiety", or "major apprehension" depending on the context.

Is "substantial worry" formal or informal?

"Substantial worry" leans towards the formal side due to the word "substantial". In casual settings, simpler phrases like "big worry" might be more appropriate.

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

You can use it like this: "There is "substantial worry" among investors about the stability of the market." or "The new regulations have caused "substantial worry" within the community".