worrying for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worrying for him" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "worrying about him." You can use it when expressing concern or anxiety regarding someone's well-being or situation.
Example: "I have been worrying about him ever since I heard he was unwell."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

Just as worrying for him, his approval ratings are not looking too healthy either.

The Guardian

But Paula's not there all the time and I can't help worrying for him.

The Guardian - Film

The unrest in Kafer Souseh is particularly worrying for him, since it is a prosperous Sunni district where he has generally been liked.

The Economist

It's as if his parents have done enough worrying for him over the years to free him up for other concerns.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I was worried for him".

The New York Times - Sports

You do worry for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Please don't worry for him.

The Guardian - Tech

I worried for him, as well.

The Guardian - Books

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing concern for someone, use the standard English phrase "worrying about him" instead of "worrying for him" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Always double-check your preposition usage, as using the wrong preposition can alter the meaning or make your writing sound unnatural.

Common error

Avoid using "for" when "about" is the correct preposition to indicate concern or anxiety. Saying "worrying for him" is grammatically incorrect; the proper phrasing is "worrying about him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worrying for him" functions as a prepositional phrase, but is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that "worrying about him" is the correct form. This phrase is intended to express concern or anxiety regarding someone's well-being or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "worrying for him" appears in some contexts, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct form is "worrying about him". This phrase is used to express concern or anxiety regarding someone's well-being. Given its grammatical inaccuracy, it is advisable to use the corrected form or alternative phrases like "concerned about him" or "anxious about him" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing. Despite appearing across different types of sources, be mindful of the grammatically preferred structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrying about him

Directly replaces "for" with "about" to correct the preposition usage and align with standard English grammar.

concerned about him

Substitutes "worrying" with "concerned" while maintaining the correct preposition, shifting the tone slightly towards general concern.

anxious about him

Replaces "worrying" with "anxious," emphasizing a higher level of unease or apprehension.

I'm worried about him

Adds a subject and verb to create a full sentence, making the expression more direct and personal.

I'm concerned for his well-being

Expands the expression to explicitly mention well-being, highlighting a focus on his health and safety.

I fear for him

Uses "fear" to express a strong sense of worry about potential negative outcomes.

troubled by his situation

Focuses on the situation causing worry, rather than directly expressing worry about the person.

apprehensive about his future

Specifies the concern as being related to his future prospects or circumstances.

I have concerns regarding him

Presents the worry in a more formal and detached manner.

my heart aches for him

Emphasizes a deep, emotional concern or sympathy for the person.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express concern for someone?

The correct way to express concern for someone is to use the phrase "worrying about him". The preposition "about" is used to indicate the object of your worry.

Is "worrying for him" grammatically correct?

No, "worrying for him" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct expression is "worrying about him".

What are some alternatives to "worrying about him"?

You can use alternatives such as "concerned about him", "anxious about him", or "I'm worried about him" depending on the context.

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

"Worrying for him" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "worrying about him". The preposition "about" is necessary to properly convey the meaning of being concerned or anxious about someone.