worry about someone

Meaning

To feel anxious, concerned, or uneasy about another person's safety, health, happiness, or future. It shows that you care deeply about their well-being, though it can sometimes sound overprotective.

Examples

• I always worry about my sister when she travels alone at night.

  I always worry about my sister when she travels alone at night.

• You don't need to worry about me; I will be completely fine.

  You don't need to worry about me; I will be completely fine.

• Parents naturally worry about their children, no matter how old they get.

  Parents naturally worry about their children, no matter how old they get.

• She was worrying about her friend who hadn't answered her calls all day.

  She was worrying about her friend who hadn't answered her calls all day.

• We were all worrying about him when he lost his job.

  We were all worrying about him when he lost his job.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I worry for my brother's safety.

  ✓ I worry about my brother's safety.

  While 'worry for' is occasionally used in formal contexts, 'worry about' is the standard preposition used in everyday English.

• ✗ Don't worry me, I can take care of myself.

  ✓ Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself.

  Without the preposition 'about', 'worry' means to actively cause someone anxiety. To express concern for someone, you must use 'about'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please call me when you arrive so I don't _______________ you.

  💡 feel anxious or concerned

  Show answer

  worry about

• He is a grown man; you don't have to _______________ him constantly.

  💡 feel uneasy about his well-being

  Show answer

  worry about