worry for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worry for him" is not commonly used in written English; the correct expression is "worry about him." You can use it when expressing concern for someone's well-being or situation.
Example: "I can't help but worry about him since he hasn't been responding to my messages."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Please don't worry for him.

The Guardian - Tech

You do worry for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Creighton makes us love Patrick and worry for him.

The New Yorker

Paulino's family members worry for him, and he for them.

The New York Times - Sports

When I heard the news, it made me worry for him.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, of course, they were all right to worry for him.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I was worried for him".

The New York Times - Sports

I worried for him, as well.

The Guardian - Books

She added, "It makes me terribly worried for him.

The New York Times

Johnson says fuel poverty is profoundly worrying for him.

The Guardian - Business

If he cannot sort out his problems quickly, the future looks worrying for him.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "worry about him" instead of "worry for him" for grammatically correct and widely accepted usage.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "for" after "worry"; the correct preposition in this context is "about". Saying "I worry for him" sounds unnatural and deviates from standard English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a verb phrase expressing concern or anxiety directed towards a specific person. While it appears in various sources, it's considered non-standard. The common alternative is "worry about him". As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not commonly used in written English and suggests the correct expression is "worry about him".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "worry for him" appears in a variety of sources, particularly News & Media, Ludwig AI indicates that it is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and more widely accepted alternative is "worry about him". Therefore, it is best practice to avoid using "worry for him" in formal writing and speech, and opt for the grammatically correct alternative. Despite its frequent use, relying on grammatically correct expression is important, especially for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worry about him

Uses the correct preposition "about" instead of "for".

be concerned about him

Replaces "worry" with a more formal synonym, "be concerned".

feel anxious about him

Substitutes "worry" with "feel anxious", emphasizing the emotional state.

have anxieties about him

Nominalizes the feeling of worry, making it "anxieties".

fear for his well-being

Focuses on the potential negative outcomes for his health and safety.

be apprehensive about his situation

Highlights the specific circumstances causing the worry.

have misgivings about him

Expresses doubts or hesitations regarding his actions or future.

be troubled by his circumstances

Focuses on external factors that are causing concern.

be uneasy about his future

Highlights a sense of discomfort and uncertainty about what lies ahead for him.

be solicitous about his health

Emphasizes caring and attentiveness to his physical condition.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "worry for him"?

No, the correct and more widely accepted phrase is "worry about him". The preposition "about" is typically used to express concern regarding someone or something.

What's a better alternative to "worry for him"?

A better alternative is "be concerned about him", which conveys a similar meaning with correct grammar. You could also say "feel anxious about him".

How can I use "worry about him" in a sentence?

You can use "worry about him" in a sentence like this: "I worry about him because he's been working such long hours lately."

What's the difference between "worry for him" and "worry about him"?

"Worry for him" is considered grammatically incorrect, while "worry about him" is the standard and accepted way to express concern or anxiety about someone. Always use "worry about him" in your writing and speech.