What Does “Worry at sth” Mean?
“Worry at sth” means to keep thinking about a problem or difficulty, often in a way that shows concern or anxiety. It can also mean to work persistently on a task or issue.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “worry at sth” is commonly used to describe the act of repeatedly thinking about or dealing with a problem. It often implies a sense of concern or unease about something. The phrase can also suggest persistent effort, as in working steadily on a challenge. Understanding the “worry at sth meaning” helps learners express emotions and actions related to anxiety or continuous effort clearly. This phrase is useful in both everyday conversations and writing when you want to describe mental focus or persistent work on an issue.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: worry at something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to keep thinking about a problem or to work persistently on something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Worry at sth” is a transitive phrasal verb and is inseparable. This means you cannot place the object between “worry” and “at.”
- Correct: She worries at the problem every day.
- Incorrect: She worries the problem at every day.
Pattern:
- Subject + worry(s) + at + object
How to Use Worry at sth?
Use “worry at sth” when you want to describe someone who is repeatedly thinking about or dealing with a problem. It also fits when describing persistent effort toward a task, especially when it is difficult or frustrating.
It is often used in formal and informal English to express both anxiety and persistence.
Examples
Here are some examples to help you understand how to use “worry at sth in a sentence”:
- She worries at the details of her report every night before submitting it.
- The engineer worried at the design problem until he found a solution.
- Instead of worrying at your mistakes, focus on how to improve.
- He kept worrying at the idea until it finally made sense.
- Don’t worry at things beyond your control.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or try to separate the phrasal verb incorrectly. Here are some common errors:
- Incorrect: She worries the problem at every day.
- Correct: She worries at the problem every day.
- Incorrect: He is worrying it at nonstop.
- Correct: He is worrying at it nonstop.
Differences / Synonyms
“Worry at sth” is similar to phrases like “worry about sth” and “work on sth,” but there are differences:
- Worry about sth: Focuses on anxiety or concern.
- Worry at sth: Emphasizes persistent thinking or effort.
- Work on sth: Focuses purely on effort without emotional concern.
For example, “She worries about her exam” means she feels anxious, while “She worries at her exam questions” means she is persistently trying to solve them.
Common Collocations
People often use “worry at” with problems, tasks, or ideas. Here are some common objects:
- Problem: a difficulty or issue to solve
- Task: a piece of work to complete
- Idea: a thought or plan to consider
- Question: a matter requiring an answer
- Issue: a point of discussion or concern
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “worry at sth”:
Anna: I’ve been worrying at this problem all day, but I can’t find the answer.
Ben: Maybe take a break. Sometimes stepping away helps.
Anna: You’re right. I’ll come back to it later with fresh eyes.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “worry at sth”:
- She __________ (worry) at the design until it was perfect.
- Don’t __________ (worry) at things you cannot change.
- He’s been __________ (worry) at the problem all morning.
FAQ
- What does “worry at sth” mean? It means to keep thinking about a problem or to work persistently on something.
- Is “worry at sth” separable? No, it is inseparable; the object must come after “worry at.”
- Can I use “worry at” for positive effort? Yes, it can describe persistent work, not just anxiety.
- Is “worry about” the same as “worry at”? No, “worry about” focuses on anxiety, while “worry at” includes persistent effort.
- What level is “worry at sth” suitable for? It is generally suitable for intermediate to advanced learners (B2 level).
