were worried about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were worried about' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are expressing concern about something or when referring to a past incident in which someone was worried. For example, "We were worried about our final exams, but we passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were worried about us".

The New York Times

"We were worried about you".

The New Yorker

"They were worried about me.

The New York Times

"People were worried about it.

The Guardian

"They were worried about retaliation.

The Washington Post

We were worried about jobs and income.

Princeton University

"Some parents were worried about side effects.

Harvard University

"We were worried about terrorists," Ahmad said.

The New Yorker

At first, people were worried about security.

The Economist

They were worried about losing everything.

The New York Times

People were worried about that".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were worried about", follow it with a specific noun or gerund phrase indicating the cause of the worry. This helps provide context and clarity (e.g., 'We were worried about the weather').

Common error

Avoid using "were worried about" in the present tense. The correct present tense form is "are worried about". For example, instead of 'They were worried about the test now', use 'They are worried about the test now'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were worried about" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past state of concern or anxiety. It's used to describe someone's feelings regarding a particular situation, person, or thing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Examples show its versatility in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were worried about" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express past anxieties or concerns. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into various contexts, from formal news reports to casual conversations. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Formal & Business" contexts, the phrase effectively communicates a previous state of worry. When using "were worried about", ensure it is followed by a clear indication of what caused the worry and avoid using it in present tense. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "had concerns regarding" or "felt anxious about" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were concerned regarding

Replaces "worried" with "concerned" for a slightly more formal tone.

felt anxious about

Emphasizes the feeling of anxiety rather than general worry.

were uneasy about

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or lack of confidence.

were apprehensive about

Conveys a sense of unease or fear about a future event.

had anxiety over

Specifies that anxiety is directed towards a particular subject.

had concerns regarding

Uses a more formal tone by employing "had concerns regarding".

had fears concerning

Highlights the presence of specific fears related to something.

were troubled by

Focuses on the distress or disturbance caused by something.

felt concern for

Expresses worry specifically about the well-being of someone or something.

had misgivings about

Indicates doubts or reservations about something.

FAQs

How can I use "were worried about" in a sentence?

Use "were worried about" to describe a past state of concern. For example, "They "were worried about" the test results".

What's the difference between "were worried about" and "are worried about"?

"Were worried about" refers to a past concern, while "are worried about" refers to a present concern. For example, "They "were worried about" the storm last night", but "They "are worried about" the flooding now".

What can I say instead of "were worried about"?

You can use alternatives like "had concerns regarding", "felt anxious about", or "were apprehensive about" depending on the context.

Is "were worried for" grammatically correct instead of "were worried about"?

While "worried for" is sometimes used, "were worried about" is generally preferred and more common when referring to concerns about a situation or event. "Worried for" is more often used to express concern for a person's well-being.