would have worried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have worried" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to express a hypothetical situation that did not occur in the past. For example: "I would have worried about missing the deadline if I hadn't started the project early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Anybody would have worried then.

The New Yorker

She would have worried".

The New Yorker

Oh, how they would have worried about me.

The New York Times

Before I got sick, I would have worried about what people would think of these refusals.

The New York Times

Section 28? "Mmm, I probably would have worried about repealing that".

The Guardian

In fact, if they hadn't seen anything, that would have worried me".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ray intervenes, "Any earlier and I think we'd have worried she might use it as a weapon," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But, while Pindar might have been impressed by Tebow's good looks, he'd have worried a bit about his technique.

The New Yorker

As well, many identified a previous lack of awareness about the possibility of experiencing depression during pregnancy: I never thought that I would have worries.

BMC Women's Health

Would I have done it back then, or would I have worried that it would undermine my credibility?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If people had trusted us on the economy, they would not have worried that we would be pushed around by the SNP".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would have worried", ensure that the context clearly indicates a hypothetical or unrealized situation in the past. This helps maintain clarity and avoids confusion with present or future scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "would have worried" when referring to something that actually happened in the past. Use a simple past tense construction like "worried" or "was worried" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have worried" functions as a modal construction expressing a hypothetical past state of concern or anxiety. It indicates that someone would have experienced worry under certain past conditions that may or may not have actually occurred. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would have worried" is a grammatically correct modal phrase used to express hypothetical past worry or concern. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. To ensure proper usage, remember to employ it when referring to unrealized past scenarios. While alternatives such as "would have been concerned" and "would have been anxious" exist, "would have worried" provides a clear and direct way to convey a sense of past hypothetical anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have been concerned

Replaces "worried" with a synonym, emphasizing a state of being rather than an action.

would have been anxious

Emphasizes a higher degree of unease or apprehension.

would have felt uneasy

Shifts the focus to a general feeling of discomfort or disquiet.

would have been apprehensive

Highlights a sense of foreboding or anticipation of something negative.

would have had concerns

Uses a noun form to express worry, making it slightly more formal.

would have been fearful

Implies a stronger emotion of fear or dread.

would have been troubled

Suggests a sense of being bothered or disturbed by something.

would have been agitated

Indicates a state of restlessness or heightened anxiety.

would have been distressed

Emphasizes a greater level of emotional suffering or pain.

would have lost sleep over

Highlights the impact of worry on one's well-being, implying sleepless nights.

FAQs

How can I use "would have worried" in a sentence?

Use "would have worried" to describe a past hypothetical situation where someone would have experienced worry. For example, "I "would have worried" if you hadn't called to let me know you were safe".

What are some alternatives to "would have worried"?

You can use alternatives like "would have been concerned", "would have been anxious", or "would have felt uneasy depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "would of worried" instead of "would have worried"?

No, "would of worried" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""would have worried"", which uses the auxiliary verb "have".

What's the difference between "would have worried" and "would be worried"?

"Would have worried" refers to a past hypothetical situation, while "would be worried" refers to a present or future hypothetical situation. For example, "I "would have worried" yesterday if you were late", versus "I "would be worried" tomorrow if you are late".