worried look

USAGE SUMMARY

"worried look" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's facial expression that conveys anxiety, concern, or fear. Example: As I walked into the room, I noticed my friend's worried look. I immediately knew something was wrong.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

She gave a worried look.

The New York Times

A worried look crossed Hilton's face.

The New Yorker

A worried look crossed her face.

The New Yorker

Too often, she had a worried look".

The New York Times - Arts

"Oh yeah," he said, with a worried look.

The New Yorker

"Hey, are you O.K.?" he adds, noticing my worried look.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Tommy came over to me, looking worried.

Huffington Post

Realising that any further discussion was futile, I stood up and told a worried looking Penny that we were leaving.

The Guardian

"I got quite strange (worried) looks on the tube when I was laughing out loud reading it – nine months' pregnant.

The Guardian - Books

A lot of them have been in touch, worried, looking for me to get to the bottom of it all".

The Guardian

On the morning of departure, Rinpoche's devotees came to see us off, offering him white scarves and bowing with worried looks on their faces.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's internal state, use "worried look" to show, not tell. Instead of saying "He was worried", describe his "worried look" to engage the reader's senses.

Common error

Avoid using "worried look" as a crutch. Ensure it's accompanied by actions or dialogue that reinforce the character's anxiety, rather than letting it stand alone as a substitute for actual development or plot progression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worried look" functions primarily as a descriptive element, characterizing someone's facial expression to convey anxiety or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically modifies a subject within a sentence, adding emotional context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worried look" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an expression of anxiety or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and widely used phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to reveal a character's internal state and evoke empathy. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid overuse and ensure it is supported by actions or dialogue. For alternatives, consider "anxious expression" or "concerned gaze". In essence, "worried look" is a powerful tool for writers to convey emotion succinctly and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubled face

Uses a more direct and simple description of a worried facial expression.

anxious expression

Replaces "look" with "expression", focusing on the overall facial display of anxiety.

concerned gaze

Substitutes "worried" with "concerned" and "look" with "gaze", suggesting a focused worry.

apprehensive demeanor

Uses "demeanor" instead of "look", indicating a more general anxious behavior.

fearful countenance

Employs "fearful" and "countenance" for a more dramatic and literary effect.

uneasy air

Shifts from a visual "look" to an intangible "air", implying a general sense of discomfort.

distressed appearance

Replaces "worried" with "distressed" and "look" with "appearance", conveying a stronger sense of suffering.

pensive expression

Suggests a thoughtful worry, replacing the immediacy of "worried" with "pensive".

solicitous glance

Indicates a worried look that is also caring or protective.

foreboding air

Conveys a sense of impending doom through a general atmosphere rather than a specific facial expression.

FAQs

How can I describe a "worried look" in more detail?

You can specify what aspects of the face communicate worry, such as "a furrowed brow", "darting eyes", or "a trembling lip".

What's a more formal alternative to "worried look"?

In formal contexts, consider using "anxious expression", "concerned countenance", or "apprehensive demeanor" as alternatives to "worried look".

How does a "worried look" differ from a "fearful look"?

A "worried look" suggests anxiety and concern about potential problems, while a "fearful look" implies a stronger sense of immediate danger or threat.

Is it correct to say "a worry look" instead of "a worried look"?

No, "a worry look" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "a worried look", where "worried" is an adjective describing the noun "look".