When you need this
Worry is thinking about something bad that might happen. The exam, the flight, the call from the bank. Saying it out loud to a friend often makes it smaller, and it lets the other person help. These phrases are for the everyday kind of worry, the kind everyone has most weeks.
Three words, three shades. "Worried" is in your head: you keep thinking about a problem. "Nervous" is in your body, usually before a specific event: a speech, a date, an interview. "Afraid" or "scared" is fear, stronger than both. The grammar is small but useful: "worried about" plus a noun ("worried about the test"), "worried that" plus a sentence ("worried that I'll be late").
"A little" and "a bit" are your friends here. "I'm a little worried" sounds honest and calm, and it invites a kind reply instead of panic.
Phrases
a problem is on your mind
before a specific event; a body feeling
worry about something that might happen
you fear a bad result
how worried people start a question
the worry keeps coming back
you think about it a lot
you think something will go wrong
you're worried about someone
worry kept you awake
you doubt the plan will go well
a gentle way to share a small worry
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say what's on your mind. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.