憂える

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 憂える, read うれえる, is a transitive verb meaning to worry about or lament a troubling situation.
• Basic usage: 減ることを憂えている describes continuing concern; 将来を憂えるだけ limits the response to worry alone.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Continuing concern and limitation by だけ
  • The concern takes を, and ている sustains it. だけでなく contrasts merely lamenting with taking action.