they worry that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they worry that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing concerns or anxieties about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "They worry that the new policy will negatively impact employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And they worry that, as local officials gradually resume responsibility, the bad old days will return.

The Economist

"They worry that their sales will drop".

The New York Times - Tech

They worry that they might look weak.

The New Yorker

They worry that they're being rude to me.

The New York Times

They worry that the plane is prone to crashing.

The New York Times

Now they worry that the bill could encourage lynchings.

The New York Times

"They worry that the region is ripe for Iranian exploitation.

The New York Times

They worry that fundamentalists are hijacking the country.

The Economist

Or they worry that getting help will damage their careers.

The New York Times

"They worry that you're going to die," Cindy said.

The New York Times

They worry that she may not be nasty enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they worry that" to introduce a specific concern or potential negative outcome.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "they worry that". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement. Consider using synonyms like "they are concerned that" or rephrasing to avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they worry that" functions as a clause introducer, expressing the subject's concern, apprehension, or anxiety regarding a potential outcome or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts. For example, "They worry that prices will fall when China becomes a big exporter."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they worry that" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey concern or apprehension. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalent use, particularly in News & Media. It functions as a clause introducer, expressing the subject's anxiety regarding potential outcomes. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure clarity in the subject "they" and avoid overuse to maintain engaging writing. Alternatives like "they are concerned that" and "they fear that" can add variety. Overall, "they worry that" is a valuable tool for expressing concerns, but effective communication requires mindful and deliberate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are concerned that

Replaces "worry" with a more formal synonym, "concerned".

they are anxious that

Substitutes "worry" with "anxious", suggesting a higher degree of unease.

they fear that

Replaces "worry" with "fear", indicating a stronger sense of apprehension.

they are afraid that

Similar to "they fear that", emphasizing a feeling of being scared.

their concern is that

Shifts the focus to the noun "concern" rather than the verb "worry".

their worry is that

Similar to "their concern is that", using "worry" as a noun.

it concerns them that

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the thing that is causing worry.

it makes them anxious that

Highlights the cause of anxiety rather than who is anxious.

it is their fear that

Emphasizes the emotion of fear, using a more formal tone.

they have misgivings about

Expresses doubt or apprehension about a particular situation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they worry that"?

You can use alternatives like "they are concerned that", "they are anxious that", or "they fear that" depending on the context.

Is "they worry that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they worry that" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used.

How to use "they worry that" in a sentence?

"They worry that" is used to express concern or apprehension about a potential outcome. For example: "They worry that the new regulations will harm small businesses."

What's the difference between "they worry that" and "they are worried that"?

While both phrases convey concern, "they worry that" often implies a general or ongoing concern, whereas "they are worried that" can indicate a more immediate or specific worry.