worried expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worried expression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial appearance that indicates concern or anxiety. Example: "She had a worried expression on her face as she waited for the test results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Suddenly, she saw an extremely worried expression on his face.

The New Yorker

There's the elegant classical nose, the high, anxious brows, and the worried expression.

The New Yorker

She bore a vaguely worried expression, but beyond that, I couldn't gauge her stand on this idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

During matches, Miss Elizabeth would pace the apron wearing a worried expression as Savage did battle inside the ropes.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You get the bug," he said, as Mrs. Thaxton looked on, a somewhat worried expression on her face.

The New York Times

Sergio's worried expression and carefully assembled swimming gear are winning (he has some of the appeal of Ian Falconer's Olivia).

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It seemed incredible to think at one stage on Friday the European contingent wore worried expressions.

The Guardian - Sport

FROM the worried expressions as my guests stared at the oven door -- one of them asked, "Are you sure it's all right in there?" -- you would have thought there was a cat having kittens in my oven rather than strips of bacon cooking in a pan.

The New York Times - Food

Stand tall, breathe deeply, and smooth away any worried expressions from your face.

WikiHow

It's important to pick up on a worried look or frustrated expression and notice out loud that you wonder if something is bothering them.

HuffPost

The knitted eyebrows and worried human expression of the eyes with a slight squint suggest late Ottonian Germany.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worried expression" to describe a fleeting or temporary state of concern, reserving stronger terms for deeper or more persistent anxieties.

Common error

Avoid using "worried expression" to describe a character with a perpetually anxious disposition; instead, opt for terms like 'anxious demeanor' or 'habitually troubled look' to convey a more ingrained state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worried expression" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, often used to depict the emotional state of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It adds detail to character descriptions or situational contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worried expression" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone's facial appearance when they are feeling anxious or concerned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it's most frequently used in news and media contexts to illustrate characters' emotional states. While alternatives like "anxious look" or "concerned face" can be used, "worried expression" provides a clear and direct way to convey a sense of unease or apprehension. When writing, remember to use this phrase to describe temporary states of concern and avoid overusing it for chronic conditions. The analysis highlights the versatility and reliability of "worried expression" as a descriptive tool in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious look

Focuses more on the visual aspect of anxiety, a synonym.

concerned face

Emphasizes the element of concern, synonym.

troubled countenance

More formal and emphasizes inner turmoil.

fearful gaze

Highlights the presence of fear.

apprehensive demeanor

Focuses on overall behavior and manner.

uneasy air

Describes an atmosphere or feeling.

stressed appearance

Implies visible signs of stress.

agitated aspect

Suggests a state of restlessness and anxiety.

distressed physiognomy

A more technical term for facial features showing distress.

pensive mien

More focused on thoughtfulness but retains element of worry.

FAQs

How can I describe a facial expression showing concern?

You can use phrases like "worried expression", "anxious look", or "concerned face" to describe someone's face when they're showing concern.

What are some alternatives to "worried expression"?

Depending on the context, you could use "troubled countenance", "fearful gaze", or "apprehensive demeanor" instead of "worried expression".

Is it correct to say "a worried expression" or "an worried expression"?

The correct form is "a worried expression". Since 'worried' begins with a consonant sound, the indefinite article 'a' is used instead of 'an'.

What is the difference between "worried expression" and "concerned expression"?

"Worried expression" often implies anxiety about a specific potential negative outcome, while "concerned expression" suggests a more general state of caring or attentiveness. The former is more negative, the latter more neutral.