worrying messages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worrying messages" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe communications that cause concern or anxiety. Example: "The recent worrying messages from the health department have raised alarms among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The world's largest CEO study on sustainability to date launches today with some worrying messages for the NGO and development community.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet they are also sending a worrying message about confidence in the Doha round of global trade talks.

The Economist

In "Middle-Age Blues" (column, Aug. 16), Gail Collins wonderfully exposes the "good news for senior citizens: You can stop worrying!" message of the Romney-Ryan campaign.

The New York Times

Justice for Colombia rejects the allegations and says the government is sending a worrying message to the international community about its willingness to tolerate dissent.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The government is exacerbating the uncertainty created by the broader electricity market reform package and sending a worrying message to the industry and to investors in the renewable energy sector.

The Guardian

Mr Cameron wrote that in recent years, the UK had sent out a "worrying" message: "That if you don't want to believe in democracy, that's fine; that if equality isn't your bag, don't worry about it; that if you're completely intolerant of others, we will still tolerate you.

BBC

After the final whistle, Nopparat checked his phone and saw at least 20 worried messages from his players' parents asking why the bike riders had not returned.

The Washington Post

The old man, Takashi (Tadashi Okuno), seems motivated more by loneliness than by lust, and in Akiko's eyes he may serve as a surrogate for her doting grandmother, who leaves worried messages on her voice mail.

The New York Times

Worried messages were soon posted on the singer's Facebook page and concern intensified as it became clear there had been no reported sightings of O'Connor for more than 24 hours.

The Guardian - Music

Students have since posted worried messages on a Facebook page set up for the cat.

BBC

Within three minutes, their worried messages prompted him to clarify that the show "IS coming back" for a fourth season, "but some crew take other jobs, so it's tough". For the most part, glam -- not geek -- still rules show business.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "worrying messages", ensure the context clearly indicates who is worried and what the messages pertain to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying who finds the messages worrying. Without context, it may be unclear whether the sender or receiver is concerned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worrying messages" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "worrying" describes the quality of the "messages", indicating that they cause concern or anxiety. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing the phrase appears in contexts where communication is a source of unease.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worrying messages" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe communications that cause concern or anxiety. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct to use, it's important to ensure the context clearly identifies the source and subject of the worry to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "concerning announcements" or "alarming signals" may be used to add formality or emphasize urgency. Using "worrying messages" effectively requires clarity and context to convey the intended sense of unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerning announcements

Emphasizes the act of formally making something known that causes concern. It changes "messages" to "announcements", highlighting the delivery method.

alarming signals

Focuses on the indication of potential danger or trouble, rather than the direct communication of a message. Changes "worrying" to "alarming" and "messages" to "signals".

disturbing updates

Highlights the unsettling nature of new information received. Changes "worrying" to "disturbing" and "messages" to "updates".

troubling reports

Implies that the information received is causing unease or anxiety. Changes "worrying" to "troubling" and "messages" to "reports".

disquieting communications

Emphasizes the anxiety-inducing aspect of the exchange of information. Changes "worrying" to "disquieting" and "messages" to "communications".

ominous warnings

Suggests a threatening or foreboding nature in the information being conveyed. Changes "worrying" to "ominous" and "messages" to "warnings".

anxious communications

Focuses on the anxious nature conveyed through the exchange of information. Changes "worrying" to "anxious" and "messages" to "communications".

concerning correspondence

Highlights the formal exchange of written communications that cause concern. Changes "messages" to "correspondence" to stress the official character of the exchange.

unsettling news

Highlights the disturbing nature of the information that is being reported. The noun changes from "messages" to "news", altering the focus from individual communications to general information.

alarming proclamations

Similar in meaning, it emphasizes a formal or official announcement that causes alarm. Focuses on official declarations as the source of worry.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "worrying messages" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "concerning announcements" or "disquieting communications". These alternatives add a layer of professionalism.

What are some alternatives to "worrying messages" that convey a sense of urgency?

Alternatives like "alarming signals" or "ominous warnings" can emphasize the urgency and potential danger of the messages.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "worrying messages"?

The phrase "worrying messages" is appropriate in contexts where there is a clear indication of concern or anxiety caused by the information being conveyed. It's often used in news reports, formal communications, or personal discussions.

How does "worrying messages" differ from "troubling reports"?

"Worrying messages" refers specifically to communications that cause concern, while "troubling reports" generally refer to any kind of formal account or statement that causes unease. The former emphasizes the communicative aspect, whereas the latter focuses on the content of the report.