Concern vs Worry

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Concern

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 verb

Worry

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

	Concern	Worry
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːn/","/kənˈsɜːnz/","/kənˈsɜːnd/","/kənˈsɜːnɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrn/","/kənˈsɜːrnz/","/kənˈsɜːrnd/","/kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈwʌri/","/ˈwʌriz/","/ˈwʌrid/","/ˈwʌriɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈwɜːri/","/ˈwɜːriz/","/ˈwɜːrid/","/ˈwɜːriɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	a worry or issue	To feel uneasy or anxious about something.
Example	The news of the accident caused great concern among the community.	I tend to worry about my exams every time.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A2
Part of speech	verb	verb
Collocations	directly, mainly, mostly, in, directly, mainly, mostly, in, a lot, greatly, really	a lot, particularly, really, not let something, not need to, begin to, about, for, with, can’t help worrying, enough to worry about, nothing to worry about, a lot, particularly, really, not let something, not need to, begin to, about, for, with, can’t help worrying, enough to worry about, nothing to worry about, a lot, particularly, really, not let something, not need to, begin to, about, for, with, can’t help worrying, enough to worry about, nothing to worry about
Antonyms	indifference, apathy	calm, relax, dismiss
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' vs 'care' — 'worry' implies anxiety., Incorrectly use 'worrying' as a noun instead of a verb., Using 'worry' without an object, e.g., 'I worry' should be followed by 'about something.'
Usage notes	Used in both spoken and written language. Can express personal feelings or formal issues. Avoid using in overly casual conversations.	Use 'worry' for general concerns. It's neutral but can sound weak in more serious contexts. Avoid in professional settings unless discussing stress.

See it in real clips

Sherlock › S1 E1

Yes, I've been hearing about your "concern".

Concern

You worry about the diligence, Mr. Reese.

House Of Dragons › S1 E1

I only worry for my mother.

I didn't mean to worry you. Everything's fine.

You worry about the diligence, Mr. Reese.

House Of Dragons › S1 E1

I only worry for my mother.

Worry

Frequently asked questions: Concern vs Worry

What's the difference between Concern and Worry?

Concern: a worry or issue Worry: To feel uneasy or anxious about something.

Which is more advanced: Concern and Worry?

Concern is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Concern and Worry the same CEFR level?

Concern: B2, Worry: A2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Concern and Worry?

Concern: verb, Worry: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Concern: The news of the accident caused great concern among the community. Worry: I tend to worry about my exams every time.

Can I use Concern and Worry interchangeably?

Not always. Concern and Worry 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.