Obsess vs You worry too much

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

Obsess

Top 3,000 (common)C1verb

You worry too much

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: You worry too much
 ObsessYou worry too much
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əbˈses/","/əbˈsesɪz/","/əbˈsest/","/əbˈsesɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əbˈses/","/əbˈsesɪz/","/əbˈsest/","/əbˈsesɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //jʊ ˈwʌri tuː mʌtʃ//🇺🇸 //ju ˈwɜri tu mʌtʃ//
MeaningTo think about something too much.You think about problems too often.
ExampleHe's obsessed by computers.You worry too much about what others think of you.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsobsess over, obsess about, obsess with, obsessive thoughts, obsessive behaviorworry too much, worry about something, make someone worry, stop worrying, worry excessively
Antonymsignore, neglect-
Common mistakesUsing 'obsess' without an object, e.g., 'I obsess.', Confusing 'obsess' with 'possess'., Using 'obsess' in an overly dramatic way when it could be more neutral.Using 'much' incorrectly with uncountable nouns., Confusing 'worry' with 'care' in contexts., Not using it as a suggestion or advice.
Usage notesUse 'obsess' in everyday conversation when discussing strong interest or fixation on something. Avoid in professional contexts unless discussing psychological conditions.This phrase is used to express concern about someone being overly anxious. It's suitable for casual conversations but may vary in tone depending on the context.

See it in real clips

You worry too much

Frequently asked questions: Obsess vs You worry too much

What's the difference between Obsess and You worry too much?

Obsess: To think about something too much. You worry too much: You think about problems too often.

Which is more common: Obsess and You worry too much?

You worry too much is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Obsess: He's obsessed by computers. You worry too much: You worry too much about what others think of you.

Can I use Obsess and You worry too much interchangeably?

Not always. Obsess and You worry too much 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.

Related comparisons