they were worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were worried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a particular situation in which a group of people felt a sense of concern, anxiety, or fear. For example, "The parents were worried when their child didn't return home on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were worried, too.

The New York Times

"They were worried".

The New York Times

They were worried, even terrified.

The New York Times

"They were worried about me.

The New York Times

"They were worried about retaliation.

The Washington Post

"They were worried about horses and disease.

The New York Times

They were worried about losing everything.

The New York Times

They were worried about losing market share.

The New York Times

I guess they were worried about bounce.

The Guardian - Sport

But relief officials said they were worried.

The New York Times

They were worried about offending advertisers?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "they were worried" with synonyms like "they were anxious" or "they were apprehensive" to add nuance to your writing, depending on the specific emotion you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "they were worried" without providing context. Explain the reason for their worry to make the statement more meaningful and informative. For example, instead of "They were worried", write "They were worried about the upcoming deadline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were worried" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It indicates the emotional state of a group of people, conveying their concern or anxiety about a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were worried" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the concern or anxiety of a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance clarity, specify the reason for their worry. Consider using synonyms like "they were anxious" or "they were apprehensive" to add nuance to your writing. The key is to provide sufficient context so that the reader understands the cause of their concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they felt anxious

Replaces "worried" with "anxious", emphasizing a feeling of unease.

they were apprehensive

Substitutes "worried" with "apprehensive", suggesting a sense of foreboding.

they had concerns

Uses "concerns" instead of "worried", focusing on specific issues.

they were uneasy

Replaces "worried" with "uneasy", indicating a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

they feared

Uses "feared" to convey a stronger sense of worry, implying potential danger.

they were afraid

Replaces "worried" with "afraid", suggesting a more intense emotional response.

they grew concerned

Emphasizes the process of becoming worried over time.

their anxiety increased

Shifts focus to the escalation of their anxiety.

worry consumed them

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of their worry.

they were filled with trepidation

Uses "trepidation" for a more formal and intense expression of worry.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "they were worried"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "they were apprehensive" or "they expressed concern". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "they were worried" to express a stronger feeling?

To express a stronger feeling, consider alternatives like "they were afraid" or "they feared". These options indicate a higher level of anxiety or fear.

How to use "they were worried" in a sentence?

You can use "they were worried" to describe a group's state of concern about a particular situation. For example, "They were worried about the potential impact of the new policy".

Is "they were worried" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were worried" is grammatically correct. It uses the pronoun "they", the past tense of the verb "to be" (were), and the adjective "worried" to describe their state.