Cool MateAnxious vs Concerned vs Troubled vs We were that worried about you
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anxious
Concerned
Troubled
We were that worried about you
| Anxious | Concerned | Troubled | We were that worried about you | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrnd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtrʌbld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtrʌbld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː wər ðæt ˈwʌrid əˈbaʊt juː//🇺🇸 //wi wɜr ðæt ˈwɜrid əˈbaʊt ju// |
| Meaning | Worried or nervous about something. | worried or anxious about something | having problems or difficulties | We were very concerned about you. |
| Example | She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. | She was very concerned about the upcoming exam results. | She looked into his troubled face. | We were that worried about you when you didn't call. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, for | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, by, be, especially, particularly, specifically, with | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, at, by, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, at, by | that worried, worried about, really worried, genuinely worried, extremely worried |
| Antonyms | calm, relaxed, composed | unconcerned, indifferent, carefree | untroubled, content, calm | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'anxious' with 'eager', which means excited or looking forward to something., Using 'anxious' without a preposition; it should be 'anxious about' or 'anxious for'., Thinking 'anxious' always means worry, not recognizing it can imply a strong desire in certain contexts. | Confused with 'concerning' which means 'about', Using 'concerned' when feeling indifferent, Using the wrong preposition, e.g., saying 'concerned for' instead of 'concerned about' | Confusing with 'trouble' as a verb or noun., Using it to describe things that are not serious, like a minor inconvenience., Mistakenly thinking it only refers to emotional issues. | Using 'that' unnecessarily when it can be omitted., 'Worried' often confused with 'worriedly' as an adjective. |
| Usage notes | Used when feeling nervous or uneasy about a situation. Generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but in very casual settings, some might use 'worried' instead. | Use 'concerned' in contexts where you want to express worry or care for someone's situation. It is appropriate in both spoken and written communication. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where less formal language might be more suitable. | Use 'troubled' to describe people or situations facing issues. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts, as it can sound heavy or serious. | This phrase expresses concern for someone's well-being. It's appropriate in both spoken and written communication among friends or acquaintances. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anxious vs Concerned vs Troubled vs We were that worried about you
What's the difference between Anxious, Concerned, Troubled, and We were that worried about you?
Anxious: Worried or nervous about something. Concerned: worried or anxious about something Troubled: having problems or difficulties We were that worried about you: We were very concerned about you.
Which is more common: Anxious, Concerned, Troubled, and We were that worried about you?
Concerned is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Anxious, Concerned, Troubled, and We were that worried about you?
Troubled is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Anxious: She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. Concerned: She was very concerned about the upcoming exam results. Troubled: She looked into his troubled face. We were that worried about you: We were that worried about you when you didn't call.
Can I use Anxious, Concerned, Troubled, and We were that worried about you interchangeably?
Not always. Anxious, Concerned, Troubled, and We were that worried about you 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.