worried about whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "worried about whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's concerns or anxieties about an uncertain situation. For example: The student was worried about whether he had studied enough to pass the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was worried about whether she'd be class-specific.

The New Yorker

She worried about whether the vaccine was safe.

The New York Times - Health

I am worried about whether he is alive or not".

The New York Times

He never worried about whether he'd get credit.

The Guardian - Sport

People immediately started calling their doctors, worried about whether their defibrillators were the ones affected.

Harvard University

"And we've worried about whether, if he does go, we get another Afghanistan-under-the-Taliban.

The New York Times

Shareholders and users were also worried about whether iX would actually work.

The Economist

"Justin got all worried about whether he had enough room under his credit-card limit.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he worried about whether the courts had "really gotten the kinks out".

The New York Times

But others were worried about whether the company would follow through with all their promises.

The New York Times

Prosecutors say Stevenson, the Bronx assemblyman, was also worried about whether he was being taped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worried about whether" to express concern over a condition that is uncertain or may have negative consequences.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "worried about whether" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "concerned about if", "doubtful about", or "unsure about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worried about whether" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a concern or anxiety regarding an uncertain condition or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "worried about whether" is a common and grammatically sound way to express concern or anxiety regarding an uncertain condition or outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, you can adjust the formality by using synonyms like "concerned about whether" for more professional settings. Be mindful of overuse and vary your language to avoid repetition. Remember to clearly define the object of your concern when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious about whether

Replaces "worried" with "anxious", implying a possibly heightened state of concern.

concerned about whether

Substitutes "worried" with "concerned", suggesting a more thoughtful consideration of potential outcomes.

apprehensive about whether

Replaces "worried" with "apprehensive", indicating a feeling of unease or dread.

uneasy about whether

Substitutes "worried" with "uneasy", highlighting a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

doubtful about whether

Shifts focus to questioning the likelihood of a positive outcome.

unsure about whether

Emphasizes the lack of certainty regarding a situation or event.

having concerns about whether

Adds a formal tone by using "having concerns" instead of "worried".

questioning whether

Focuses on the act of doubting or inquiring about a specific outcome.

in doubt about whether

Uses a more passive construction to express uncertainty.

pessimistic about whether

Conveys a stronger negative expectation about the outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "worried about whether" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "concerned about whether", "having reservations about whether", or "expressing concern regarding whether". These alternatives add a layer of professional distance.

What are some synonyms for "worried about whether" that express a stronger sense of anxiety?

If you want to convey a higher degree of anxiety, try phrases such as "anxious about whether", "apprehensive about whether", or "fearful about whether". These options indicate a more intense emotional response.

Is it ever incorrect to use "worried about whether"?

While "worried about whether" is generally correct, ensure it is followed by a complete clause that specifies the object of concern. Avoid using it in contexts where a simpler "worried about [noun]" would suffice.

What's the difference between "worried about whether" and "worried about if"?

"Worried about whether" implies a concern over two or more possibilities, whereas "worried about if" suggests concern about a single condition or possibility. While "worried about if" is often used, "worried about whether" is generally considered more grammatically precise in formal writing when multiple outcomes are possible.