was worried

USAGE SUMMARY

"was worried" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is generally used to describe a feeling of concern or anxiety about something in the past. Example: "She was worried about her upcoming presentation, but she ended up doing a great job and receiving high praise from her boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And he was worried.

The New York Times

KIRK DOUGLAS was worried.

The New York Times

Fashionable London was worried.

Independent

She was worried.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was worried.

The New Yorker

Moore, however, was worried.

The New Yorker

Her father was worried.

The New Yorker

Now Ferrante was worried.

The New York Times

Redstone was worried.

The New Yorker

I was worried.

The New York Times

Now I was worried.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was worried", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the worry. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "He was worried". Instead, specify the source of the anxiety: "He was worried about the looming deadline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was worried" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a past state of anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as expressing concern for someone's well-being or anxiety about a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was worried" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past state of anxiety or concern. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specifying the cause of the worry makes your writing more effective. While alternatives like "was concerned" or "felt anxious" exist, "was worried" remains a versatile and readily understood expression. Be mindful of whether you should use "about" or "for" depending on whether the source of worry is a thing or a person, respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was concerned

Direct synonym, interchangeable in many contexts, but carries a slightly more formal tone.

was troubled

Similar to "was worried" but suggests a deeper, more persistent state of anxiety.

was apprehensive

More formal and intense, suggesting a strong feeling of anxiety about something specific.

was afraid

Similar to "feared something", focusing on the feeling of being afraid of a potential outcome.

felt anxious

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety itself, shifting the emphasis slightly from the cause of the worry.

feared something

Emphasizes the element of fear associated with the worry, indicating a stronger emotional response.

felt stressed

Highlights the feeling of stress resulting from worry, focusing on the emotional impact.

felt uneasy

Implies a milder form of worry, often related to a general sense of discomfort or apprehension.

had misgivings

Indicates doubts or reservations about something, implying a form of worry based on uncertainty.

had concerns

More formal and understated way of expressing worry, suitable for professional contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "was worried" to express concern or anxiety about a past event or situation. For example, "She "was worried" about the test results".

What are some alternatives to "was worried"?

Alternatives include "was concerned", "felt anxious", or "was apprehensive" depending on the level of formality and intensity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was worried about" or "was worried for"?

"Was worried about" is generally used when expressing concern about a situation or thing. "Was worried for" is used when expressing concern for a person's well-being.

What's the difference between "was worried" and "is worried"?

"Was worried" refers to a past state of concern, while "is worried" refers to a present state of concern. For example, "She "was worried" yesterday" vs "She "is worried" now".