they were concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were concerned" is correct and can be used in written English.
An example sentence would be: "They were concerned that the car wouldn't make it up the hill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They were concerned.

The New York Times - Arts

"They were concerned," he said.

The New York Times

"They were concerned about me.

The New York Times - Sports

They were concerned but supportive.

The Guardian

But they were concerned about the closeness.

The New York Times

They were concerned about drug money.

The New York Times

Perhaps they were concerned about the violence.

The Guardian

Women picked me up because they were concerned about me.

The New Yorker

They were concerned she might be after money.

The New York Times

Yet they were concerned that it might be too citrusy.

The New Yorker

They were concerned, too, and they didn't seem crazy.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were concerned", ensure the context clearly explains what caused their concern. Providing specific details makes the statement more impactful and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "they were concerned" without specifying the reason. Unsubstantiated concerns lack credibility and leave the reader wondering about the specific issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were concerned" functions as a statement expressing a feeling of worry, anxiety, or unease experienced by a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase, showcasing its frequent usage in expressing apprehensions across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were concerned" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate worry or unease. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and demonstrates its prevalence across diverse sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and business documents. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific details about the source of their concern to enhance clarity and impact. While alternatives like "they were worried" or "they felt anxious" exist, "they were concerned" offers a versatile option suitable for various formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were worried

Highlights worry as the primary emotion, differing slightly from the broader sense of concern.

they felt uneasy

Highlights the discomfort or lack of ease experienced due to a situation.

they felt anxious

Focuses on the emotional aspect, emphasizing anxiety rather than general concern.

they were apprehensive

Emphasizes anticipation of future problems or negative outcomes.

they showed apprehension

Highlights the outward display of concern or fear.

they expressed unease

Focuses on a lack of comfort or peace of mind regarding something.

they had misgivings

Emphasizes doubt or apprehension about a situation or decision.

they were solicitous

Focuses on showing care and attention, which can stem from concern.

they were attentive

Focuses on being observant and responsive, often due to concern or care.

they took interest

Emphasizes the act of taking interest in something, implying a deeper level of engagement or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "they were concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "they were concerned" to express that a group of people felt worried or anxious about something. For example, "they were concerned about the delay".

What are some alternatives to "they were concerned"?

Alternatives include "they were worried", "they felt anxious", or "they had misgivings", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "they were concerned" or "they are concerned"?

The choice depends on the time frame. Use "they were concerned" for past concerns and "they are concerned" for present concerns.

What's the difference between "they were concerned" and "they were worried"?

While similar, "they were concerned" can imply a broader sense of care and responsibility, while "they were worried" often suggests a more intense feeling of anxiety.