Cool MateConcern vs I only worry for my mother
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Concern
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
I only worry for my mother
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Concern
| Concern | I only worry for my mother | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːn/","/kənˈsɜːnz/","/kənˈsɜːnd/","/kənˈsɜːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrn/","/kənˈsɜːrnz/","/kənˈsɜːrnd/","/kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ ˈoʊnli ˈwʌri fɔːr maɪ ˈmʌðər//🇺🇸 //aɪ ˈoʊnli ˈwɜri fɔr maɪ ˈmʌðər// |
| Meaning | a worry or issue | I care about my mother and feel concerned for her. |
| Example | The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. | I only worry for my mother when she's alone at home. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | directly, mainly, mostly, in, directly, mainly, mostly, in, a lot, greatly, really | worry for someone, only worry for, worry for your health |
| Antonyms | indifference, apathy | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'concern' as a noun and verb., Using 'concern to' instead of 'concern with' or 'about'., Mistaking 'concern' for 'care' in certain contexts. | Confused with 'worry about' instead of 'worry for', Using 'worry' with the wrong preposition, Incorrectly placing 'only' in the sentence |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written language. Can express personal feelings or formal issues. Avoid using in overly casual conversations. | Used when expressing concern for someone. It's appropriate in both spoken and written language. |
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Frequently asked questions: Concern vs I only worry for my mother
What's the difference between Concern and I only worry for my mother?
Concern: a worry or issue I only worry for my mother: I care about my mother and feel concerned for her.
Which is more common: Concern and I only worry for my mother?
Concern is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Concern: The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. I only worry for my mother: I only worry for my mother when she's alone at home.
Can I use Concern and I only worry for my mother interchangeably?
Not always. Concern and I only worry for my mother are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.