Word: worrying (verb)

Associations

"Worrying" is the present participle form of the verb "worry." It describes the act of feeling anxious or concerned about something.

• Example 1: "She is worrying about her upcoming exam." (Here, it shows concern about performance.)
• Example 2: "The news is worrying many people." (In this case, it indicates that the news causes anxiety.)
• Example 3: "He finds it worrying that his friend is not feeling well." (This highlights concern for a friend's health.)

A well-known synonym for "worrying" is "troubling." The main difference is that "troubling" often has a more serious connotation, while "worrying" can be used for everyday concerns.

Substitution

Some alternatives to "worrying" include:

• "concerning" (suggests something that causes unease)
• "troubling" (implies a more serious issue)
• "disturbing" (indicates a strong emotional response)

Using these alternatives can change the tone of your message. For example, "concerning" may sound less intense than "disturbing."

Deconstruction

The word "worrying" comes from the root "worry," which has Old English origins, meaning "to strangle" or "to choke." The suffix "-ing" is used to form the present participle. This gives the sense of an ongoing action.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt worrying about something? What was it?
• How do you usually cope when you are worrying?
• Are there situations where worrying can be helpful? Why or why not?