Grow nervous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Grow nervous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a gradual increase in anxiety or apprehension about a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, I began to grow nervous about the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But both he and Conseco are now scrambling for liquidity as lenders grow nervous.

The New York Times

Ever since, Chinese officials grow nervous in the run-up to the anniversary of the crackdown.

The Economist

The episode illustrates how vulnerable hedge funds - even large, successful ones - can be when investors grow nervous.

The New York Times

Class politics makes for bad economics: the state swells, public money gets wasted and entrepreneurs grow nervous.

The Economist

But even if they believe it will eventually make money, they might grow nervous about the fund's other backers.

The Economist

Absent a health care overhaul, the federal government's lenders around the world may eventually grow nervous about its ability to repay its debts.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Arledge's superiors grew nervous.

The New Yorker

On Sunday evening, Nancy Fisher grew nervous.

The New York Times

Cherokee and the township grew nervous.

The New York Times

As his institute's opening approached, he grew nervous.

The New York Times

Yet even Mr. Ubaid, telling his story in English, grew nervous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial markets or business contexts, "grow nervous" can effectively convey investor or lender unease, signaling potential instability or risk aversion.

Common error

Avoid using "grow nervous" to describe a sudden, immediate feeling of fear. This phrase is best suited for situations where anxiety builds over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow nervous" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual change of state. It describes the process of becoming increasingly anxious or apprehensive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow nervous" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a gradual increase in anxiety or apprehension. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. Its prevalence in news and media sources demonstrates its widespread applicability. When using "grow nervous", remember to emphasize the escalating nature of the feeling, and consider alternative expressions like "become anxious" or "start to worry" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Avoid using it to describe sudden, immediate feelings of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become anxious

Focuses on the resulting state of anxiety, rather than the process of becoming nervous.

start to worry

Implies an onset of concern, highlighting the initial stage of nervousness.

feel uneasy

Emphasizes a lack of comfort or peace of mind, a common component of nervousness.

get apprehensive

Highlights a sense of foreboding or anticipation of something negative.

develop anxiety

Suggests a more gradual and potentially prolonged state of anxiety.

become stressed

Indicates a state of mental or emotional strain, often associated with nervousness.

feel agitated

Describes a state of restlessness or unease, which can accompany nervousness.

get flustered

Emphasizes a state of confusion or discomposure, often in response to pressure.

experience trepidation

Highlights a feeling of fear or apprehension about something that may happen.

feel butterflies

An idiomatic expression for nervousness, often associated with anticipation or excitement.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow nervous" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety or apprehension. For example: "As the deadline approached, I began to grow nervous about the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "grow nervous"?

Alternatives include "become anxious", "start to worry", or "feel uneasy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grew nervous" or "grow nervous"?

Both "grew nervous" and "grow nervous" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Grow nervous" is used in the present tense, while "grew nervous" is used in the past tense.

What is the difference between "grow nervous" and "become scared"?

"Grow nervous" suggests a gradual increase in anxiety or apprehension, while "become scared" implies a more sudden and intense feeling of fear.