the second worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the second worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing multiple concerns or issues, specifically referring to the second one in a sequence. Example: "While the first worry was about funding, the second worry pertains to the timeline of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The second worry?

Independent

The second worry is more systemic.

The Economist

The second worry is potential write-downs.

The New York Times

This leads us to the second worry: timing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The second worry is that, like his father, he is too involved in foreign policy.

The Economist

But the second worry connected with the technique stirred up a hornet's nest whose swarm followed Dr Venter for a decade.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"We played with confidence in the first half, the second worries me a bit.

The Guardian - Sport

The national goal is to cut emissions 40% by the 2020 deadline.The second worry that underlies Ms Merkel's policies is population decline.

The Economist

That's the first worry.

The New York Times

The paralysis was the first worry.

The Guardian

The first worry comes with the source.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple concerns, use "the second worry" to clearly indicate the order and help your audience follow your line of reasoning. This is especially useful in persuasive writing or presentations where clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "the second worry" when only one concern is being discussed. Ensure there is a clearly defined "first worry" to justify the use of the ordinal number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the second worry" functions as a subject complement or a sentence opener, introducing the second item in a list of concerns. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used to clearly delineate multiple anxieties or issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the second worry" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to introduce the second concern in a series of anxieties or issues. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance clarity in your writing, use "the second worry" to clearly signal the order of your concerns. Avoid using it if there isn't a corresponding "first worry". Alternatives such as "the second concern" or "another worry" can provide variety in your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the second concern

Replaces "worry" with a more neutral term, "concern", while maintaining the same structure and meaning.

the second apprehension

Substitutes "worry" with "apprehension", indicating a more formal or serious level of concern.

the second fear

Replaces "worry" with "fear", emphasizing a stronger emotional response of anxiety.

the second issue

Uses "issue" instead of "worry", framing the concern as a problem to be addressed.

the second problem

Similar to "issue", but with a slightly more negative connotation, highlighting an obstacle.

another worry

Indicates an additional concern without specifying its numerical position.

a further worry

Suggests an additional concern or anxiety that arises in addition to previous ones.

the subsequent worry

Replaces "second" with "subsequent", emphasizing the temporal order of the concern.

a secondary worry

Indicates that this concern is less important or pressing than the first one.

the following worry

Emphasizes that the worry is coming after something else, similar to "subsequent worry".

FAQs

How can I use "the second worry" in a sentence?

Use "the second worry" to introduce the second concern or apprehension in a sequence of issues. For example, "The first worry was the budget; the second worry was the timeline."

What's a more formal alternative to "the second worry"?

A more formal alternative could be "the second concern" or "the secondary issue". Both phrases maintain a professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What can I say instead of "the second worry" if I don't want to specify a numbered sequence?

You can use phrases like "another worry", "a further worry", or "an additional concern" to introduce another point without assigning it a specific number in a sequence.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the second worry is because...?"

Yes, it is grammatically correct. You can structure your sentence as, "The second worry is that..." or "The second worry is because of..." depending on whether you are explaining a fact or a reason.