worrying

USAGE SUMMARY

"worrying" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that causes anxiety or concern. For example, "The worrying news about the economy caused people to panic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The signs are worrying.

The Economist

But in a negotiation where neither side can have what it really wants, and where the least bad solution is as good as it gets, worrying too much about fairness can be suicidal.

The Economist

By worrying coincidence, the day that we've arrived in Grenada is officially the start of the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

The Guardian - Travel

Basically, it is good news that Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel have performed so strongly: excellent films in that "indie-literate" middle ground that many in the industry have been worrying had been neglected in the general rush to big-budget, big-box-office superhero pictures.

The Guardian - Film

"It has been bothering me last couple of days," he said, adding puzzlingly, "but it's not worrying me".

The Guardian - Sport

When I wasn't worrying about how to stop the water breaching my bodily barriers, I was fretting about catching pond life in the miniature drag net that is a swimming costume on an ample bosom.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite delivering well-aimed punches on Darling's lack of detail about future tax powers and Scotland's viability outside the UK, the first minister flailed on his "plan B" proposals for a currency now that the UK parties had vetoed a deal on the pound, relying on poorly judged quips about no campaigners worrying about aliens invading Scotland.

The Guardian

The Ukip leader later hit out at those with a worrying "anti-rich attitude" after one audience member held up a picture of a mansion belonging to Ukip donor and former treasurer Stuart Wheeler, who is an Eton and Oxford-educated ex-Conservative millionaire.

The Guardian

What is worrying is that the original story was so clearly completely untrue and contained clear statements from the council that demonstrated this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last December's production of Lungs by Macmillan, who has known Mitchell ever since he appeared in a student production of hers aged eight, told the story of a young couple worrying about having a baby in a era of global warming and overpopulation.

The Guardian

They are still chatting after I have gone to bed and am lying awake worrying about whether Sam (whose mobile is not working again) is OK.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "worrying" as an adjective, ensure it clearly modifies the noun it describes, providing a specific reason for concern. For example, "the worrying trend of declining test scores" is more effective than simply saying "the trend is worrying."

Common error

Avoid using "worrying" as a passive observation without suggesting action. Instead of just stating a situation is "worrying", explain why it's concerning and what steps can be taken to address it. For example, instead of 'the lack of resources is worrying', specify 'the lack of resources is worrying and requires immediate allocation of funds'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "worrying" is as an adjective modifying a noun or as a participle in a verb phrase, describing something that induces anxiety or concern. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correctly used in written English. Examples in Ludwig showcase its adjectival usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worrying" functions primarily as an adjective or participle, used to express concern or draw attention to problematic situations. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and readily usable in written English. With its frequent occurrence in contexts like News & Media, "worrying" demonstrates its versatility across diverse subjects. When using "worrying", ensure it effectively modifies the intended noun and, more importantly, suggest actions rather than just stating observations. For alternative expressions, consider "alarming", "disturbing", or "concerning" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to avoid using it in a passive way, it's better to explain why it's concerning and suggest solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alarming

Implies a sudden and intense feeling of fear or concern.

disturbing

Suggests something unsettling or disruptive, causing unease.

troubling

Indicates something that causes difficulty or concern.

concerning

Highlights something that raises questions or doubts.

disquieting

Emphasizes a loss of peace or tranquility due to the situation.

unsettling

Suggests something that makes you feel anxious and uncomfortable.

disconcerting

Highlights something that causes confusion and nervousness.

apprehensive

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety about the future.

ominous

Indicates a feeling that something bad is going to happen.

dire

Suggests a situation that is extremely serious or dangerous.

FAQs

How can I use "worrying" in a sentence?

You can use "worrying" to describe something that causes concern or anxiety, such as "The latest economic reports are "alarming" and indicate a "worrying trend" in unemployment."

What are some alternatives to the word "worrying"?

Synonyms for "worrying" include "troubling", "concerning", and "disturbing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the situation is worrying"?

Yes, "the situation is worrying" is grammatically correct. It means that the situation is causing anxiety or concern. A more descriptive sentence could be, "The situation is "becoming increasingly worrying" due to recent developments."

What's the difference between "worrying" and "worrisome"?

"Worrying" is often used as a present participle or gerund, while "worrisome" is strictly an adjective. Both describe something that causes worry, but "worrisome" directly modifies a noun, as in "a "worrisome trend"", while "worrying" can describe an action or state, as in "the news is worrying".