to worry about something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to worry about something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing concern or anxiety regarding a specific issue or situation. Example: "I tend to worry about my upcoming exams, even though I have studied hard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

They want to worry about something else, please.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you want to worry about something get worried about trafficking or FGM or something similar.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I've got too much on the table to worry about something that's in the future".

The New York Times - Sports

I've found something new to worry about, something outside myself, something feminised and parental and worthwhile.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It takes way more energy to worry about something than it does to be relieved," she said.

The New York Times

"If you want to worry about something, worry about humans," said Dr. Wilson, who is 27 and single.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But when you focus on the worst case scenario, you allot the majority of your energy to worrying about something that hasn't actually happened--and that's a downright waste of your resources.

Huffington Post

Something to worry about indeed.

The Economist

"Markets look for something to worry about," he noted.

The New York Times

"He really has added a great dimension to give other teams something to worry about," Russell said.

The New York Times - Sports

He said voters shouldn't have to worry about whether "something's going to pop" about Mr. Gingrich's personal life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "to worry about something" when you want to express concern or anxiety about a specific issue. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "to worry about something" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to be concerned about something" or "to fret over something" to add nuance and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to worry about something" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as a complement to a verb or as an adverbial modifier expressing concern or anxiety. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to worry about something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that expresses concern or anxiety. According to Ludwig, it fits comfortably in both formal and informal settings, although variety in expression is always recommended. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while also suggesting the use of synonyms like "to be concerned about" or "to fret over" to avoid repetition. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be concerned about something

Expresses a more general feeling of unease or interest in something.

to be anxious about something

Focuses on the feeling of nervousness and apprehension.

to fret over something

Implies a more agitated or anxious state of worrying.

to stress about something

Highlights the feeling of being under pressure due to worry.

to have concerns about something

Presents the worry as a more formal or objective issue.

to agonize over something

Suggests a prolonged and intense period of worry.

to be troubled by something

Emphasizes the negative impact of the worry on one's peace of mind.

to be apprehensive about something

Highlights the anticipation of something unpleasant.

to obsess about something

Indicates an excessive and uncontrollable level of worry.

to feel uneasy about something

Implies a subtle but persistent feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "to worry about something" in a sentence?

You can use "to worry about something" to express concern or anxiety regarding a specific issue. For instance, "I tend "to worry about exams"" shows concern about academic performance.

What can I say instead of "to worry about something"?

You can use alternatives like "to be concerned about", "to fret over", or "to be anxious about" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "to worry about something" or "worrying about something"?

Both "to worry about something" and "worrying about something" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. The infinitive "to worry about something" often expresses purpose or intention, while the gerund "worrying about something" functions as a noun. For example: "It's important "to worry about something"" (purpose) vs. "Worrying about something won't solve the problem" (noun).

When is it appropriate to use "to worry about something" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "to worry about something" when you need to clearly express concern or anxiety regarding a specific issue, especially in both formal and informal contexts. However, avoid overuse by varying your language with synonyms such as "to be concerned about" or "to fret over".