was concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

"was concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the feeling of worry or nervousness about something. For example: "The parents were concerned about their daughter's safety when she was out late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The professor was concerned.

The New Yorker

His girlfriend was concerned.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, he was concerned.

Independent

She was concerned.

The New Yorker

Dr. G. was concerned.

The New Yorker

Quintanilla was concerned, too.

The New York Times

"Now, he was concerned.

The New York Times

I was concerned.

The New Yorker

Brother Andy was concerned.

Independent

Roddick was concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was concerned," Cano said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was concerned" to clearly convey a feeling of worry or unease about a specific situation or person. Ensure the context makes it clear what the subject was concerned about.

Common error

Avoid using "was concerned" when a more direct expression of action or responsibility is needed. For example, instead of saying "He was concerned with the project's success", consider "He oversaw the project to ensure its success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was concerned" functions primarily as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being or feeling. As confirmed by Ludwig, it expresses a state of worry, anxiety, or interest in something. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing someone's emotional state or engagement with a topic.

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 "was concerned" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey worry, anxiety, or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, most notably in news and media. The phrase functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a state of being, and its usage spans from expressing concern for an individual's well-being to indicating involvement or interest in a particular subject. When using "was concerned", ensure clarity about the object of concern to effectively communicate the intended emotion or engagement. Consider alternatives like "felt worried" or "expressed concern" to fine-tune the specific shade of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt worried

Focuses more on the emotional feeling of worry rather than the active concern.

was anxious

Highlights a state of unease and nervousness.

had reservations

Indicates a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something.

expressed concern

Emphasizes the act of voicing worries or apprehensions.

took interest

Shifts the focus to showing curiosity or engagement.

paid attention

Indicates attentiveness and observation rather than worry.

cared about

Emphasizes a sense of affection and regard for someone or something.

was mindful

Highlights awareness and consideration of potential issues.

showed solicitude

Implies a formal and considerate display of concern or care.

was involved

Indicates participation or engagement, not necessarily worry.

FAQs

How can I use "was concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "was concerned" to express worry or anxiety about something. For example, "She "was concerned" about the upcoming exam".

What's a more formal alternative to "was concerned"?

Alternatives include "expressed apprehension", "felt unease", or "had reservations". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "was concerning" instead of "was concerned"?

"Was concerning" implies that something is causing worry, while "was concerned" means someone is feeling worried. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "was concerned about" and "was concerned with"?

"Was concerned about" typically refers to worry regarding a specific thing or person. "Was concerned with" usually indicates involvement or focus on a particular matter, such as "He "was concerned with" the ethical implications of the research".