unfounded worries

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfounded worries" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to worries that have no basis in reality or that are not supported by evidence or facts. For example: Despite my unfounded worries, the project was completed on time and under budget.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

WHAT were some "unfounded" worries this reporter had about what people might say and write about her friend?

The New York Times

There are inherent conflicts, second-guessing, unfounded worries over what others may think, and more.

Huffington Post

But since she also told Rose the judge wouldn't even ask her about the "boyfriend," it seems the intent was not to encourage perjury, but to allay a teenager's unfounded worries about the purpose of a particular judicial hearing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The question is, then, should we put a party in power based solely on the vaguely hysterical, largely unfounded worry that they could have been?

The Guardian - Opinion

This is an unfounded worry, since the U.S. government has stated that it won't target individual musicians but will only focus on "commercial traffickers".

Huffington Post

Instead, they're meant to show you how unfounded your worries about flying really are! Learn these statistics, write them down, and repeat them to yourself when you start to worry about what will happen on your next flight.

WikiHow

Are Scottish worries unfounded?In this section Now for something completely different The go-between Getting it together Sorry, that's personal Last orders The odd couple ReprintsMaybe not.

The Economist

Their worries were unfounded.

The New York Times - Books

These worries are unfounded.

The New York Times

Her worries proved unfounded.

The New York Times - Science

Their worries were unfounded, though.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing "unfounded worries", provide specific evidence or reassurance to counteract the anxiety. Directly addressing the source of the worry is more effective than simply dismissing it as unfounded.

Common error

Avoid labeling worries as "unfounded" without first understanding the underlying reasons for the concern. Dismissing someone's feelings without proper consideration can be invalidating and unhelpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfounded worries" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unfounded" modifies the noun "worries". It describes a specific kind of worries – those that lack a solid foundation or basis in fact. As noted by Ludwig, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfounded worries" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes anxieties lacking a factual basis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, and has a neutral formality. When using this phrase, it's important to be empathetic and provide evidence-based reassurance rather than dismiss someone's concerns outright. Alternative phrases like "/s/baseless+anxieties" or "/s/unjustified+concerns" can offer subtle variations in meaning and tone. The available examples through Ludwig, although limited, offer solid orientation on its practical use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baseless anxieties

Replaces "worries" with "anxieties" and "unfounded" with "baseless", emphasizing the lack of foundation.

groundless fears

Substitutes "worries" with "fears", heightening the emotional intensity, and "unfounded" with "groundless", stressing the absence of a factual basis.

unjustified concerns

Replaces "worries" with "concerns" and "unfounded" with "unjustified", focusing on the lack of a valid reason.

unsubstantiated apprehensions

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "worries" with "apprehensions" and "unfounded" with "unsubstantiated", to denote a lack of supporting evidence.

idle anxieties

Replaces "unfounded" with "idle", suggesting the worries are unproductive and without purpose.

needless fears

Substitutes "unfounded" with "needless", indicating the worries are unnecessary.

gratuitous anxieties

Replaces "unfounded" with "gratuitous", implying the worries are excessive and unwarranted.

empty anxieties

Replaces "unfounded" with "empty", indicating the worries lack substance or significance.

spurious concerns

Replaces "worries" with "concerns" and "unfounded" with "spurious", emphasizing the false or deceitful nature of the concerns.

illusory fears

Substitutes "worries" with "fears" and "unfounded" with "illusory", highlighting the deceptive or unreal quality of the fears.

FAQs

How can I use "unfounded worries" in a sentence?

You can use "unfounded worries" to describe anxieties that lack a basis in reality, such as: "Despite his /s/unfounded+worries, the project was a success" or "The report aimed to alleviate /s/unfounded+worries about the company's financial stability".

What's a more formal way to say "unfounded worries"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "/s/unjustified+concerns" or "/s/unsubstantiated+apprehensions", which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

Are "unfounded worries" the same as "irrational fears"?

While similar, "unfounded worries" generally refers to anxieties lacking factual support, whereas "irrational fears" (/s/irrational+fears) often suggests a psychological component or phobia that defies logic.

When is it appropriate to describe someone's feelings as "unfounded worries"?

It's appropriate to use "unfounded worries" when there's clear evidence or reason to believe that the concerns lack a solid basis. However, it's important to approach the situation with empathy and provide reassurance rather than simply dismissing the person's feelings.