Grow anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow anxious" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever someone's feelings become more anxious. For example: "The closer the deadline drew, the more the team members grew anxious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But others grow anxious, depressed or angry, sacrifice social and extracurricular activities and miss -- or quit -- school.

The New York Times

Whoever plays will be under instructions not to grow anxious if the lead does not come quickly.

The Guardian - Sport

In the heat of the moment, one fire official said, it is not uncommon for the first responders to grow anxious when a life is on the line.

The New York Times

In a telephone conversation recorded in November, prosecutors say, Michael Turano seemed to grow anxious when a $15,000 payoff did not show up as expected.

The New York Times

In the first act, residents of an all-white neighborhood grow anxious as blacks move in; by the second act, the neighborhood has become predominantly black, and it is the arrival of a white couple that stirs tension.

The New York Times

In her practice and her support groups, Ms. Moscowitz sometimes sees former caregivers grow anxious about their own mortality once the people who seemed to stand between them and it are gone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Thain was growing anxious.

The New Yorker

His relatives grew anxious.

The New York Times

After "Luck" was cancelled, Stevens grew anxious.

The New Yorker

Lin grows anxious and then frightened.

The New Yorker

When others received offers, I grew anxious.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow anxious" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety, rather than a sudden onset. For example, "As the deadline approached, the team members grew anxious."

Common error

Avoid using "grow anxious" to describe sudden moments of intense fear or panic. Instead, opt for phrases like "suddenly panicked" or "became terrified" for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow anxious" functions as a verb phrase that describes a process or state of becoming increasingly worried, nervous, or uneasy. Ludwig provides several examples that illustrate this gradual increase in anxiety. It's used to depict a change in emotional state over time or in response to a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow anxious" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the gradual increase in feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in News & Media. While suitable for neutral contexts, it's essential to use it appropriately to depict a gradual process rather than a sudden onset of anxiety. Alternatives like "become uneasy" or "start worrying" can be used depending on the desired nuance. By understanding its proper usage and context, writers can effectively convey the development of anxious feelings in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become uneasy

Expresses a similar feeling of discomfort or worry, focusing on the change in emotional state.

start worrying

Highlights the beginning of a worrying process, similar to the onset of anxiety.

develop anxiety

Focuses on the development of a more persistent state of anxiety.

get stressed

Indicates a feeling of strain and pressure, often associated with anxiety.

feel apprehensive

Emphasizes a sense of foreboding or unease about future events.

become nervous

Describes a state of agitation or heightened sensitivity, akin to anxiety.

start to fret

Indicates a more active and agitated form of worrying.

feel concerned

Highlights a sense of care and worry about something.

get worked up

Emphasizes a state of heightened emotional arousal and agitation.

lose composure

Suggests a loss of calmness and control, often due to anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "grow anxious" in a sentence?

You can use "grow anxious" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety over time or in response to a situation. For example, "As the project deadline neared, the team members "grew anxious"."

What are some alternatives to "grow anxious"?

Some alternatives to "grow anxious" include "become uneasy", "start worrying", or "feel apprehensive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grew anxious" or should I use another tense?

"Grew anxious" is the past tense form and is correct when describing anxiety that developed in the past. The present tense is "grow anxious", and the future tense would be "will grow anxious".

What's the difference between "grow anxious" and "become anxious"?

"Grow anxious" implies a gradual increase in anxiety over time, while "become anxious" can describe a more sudden onset of anxiety. For example, "He "grew anxious" as the exam approached" suggests a gradual process, whereas "He "became anxious" when he heard the news" suggests a more immediate reaction.