worry about a friend

Meaning

To feel anxious, concerned, or uneasy about the well-being, safety, or happiness of someone you care about. It is a common way to express empathy and care in relationships.

Examples

• It is completely normal to worry about a friend when they stop answering your texts.

  It is completely normal to worry about a friend when they stop answering your texts.

• I began to worry about a friend who was going through a difficult divorce.

  I began to worry about a friend who was going through a difficult divorce.

• You shouldn't worry about a friend too much if they just need some quiet time.

  You shouldn't worry about a friend too much if they just need some quiet time.

• She called me late at night because she started to worry about a friend.

  She called me late at night because she started to worry about a friend.

• It shows you have a big heart when you worry about a friend in need.

  It shows you have a big heart when you worry about a friend in need.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I worry for a friend.

  ✓ I worry about a friend.

  While 'worry for' is sometimes used, 'worry about' is the standard, most natural collocation in everyday English.

• ✗ Don't worry yourself about a friend.

  ✓ Don't worry about a friend.

  Using 'worry' reflexively ('worry yourself') is outdated or overly dramatic; use 'worry about' instead.

Related Expressions

Practice

• When she didn't show up for class, I began to ___.

  💡 Feel anxious about a companion's well-being.

  Show answer

  worry about a friend

• It's natural to ___ when they are going through a tough time.

  💡 Be concerned for someone close.

  Show answer

  worry about a friend