I was eager

USAGE SUMMARY

'I was eager' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you were excited for something. For example: "I was eager to hear the news about the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I was eager.

The New Yorker

"I was eager to help".

The New Yorker

I was eager to hear his advice.

The New York Times

"I was eager," he said.

The New York Times

I was eager, vulnerable and lonely..

The Guardian - Books

I was eager to turn the page.

The Guardian - Books

I was eager to move on.

The New York Times

I was eager to see these ensembles in action.

Harvard University

I was far too early (I guess I was eager).

The New Yorker

I was eager to talk to one particular actor.

The New Yorker

I was eager to strike out on my own.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was eager" to convey a sense of anticipation, enthusiasm, or strong desire for something. It's appropriate when you want to express your positive feelings about an upcoming event or opportunity.

Common error

Avoid repeating "I was eager" excessively in your writing. Instead, use a variety of synonyms like "I was keen", "I was enthusiastic", or "I was excited" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was eager" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past state of anticipation or enthusiasm. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used to communicate one's positive inclination towards a past event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was eager" is a versatile phrase used to express a past state of enthusiasm or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academic writing. While "I was eager" is widely accepted, varying your language with synonyms such as ""I was keen"" or ""I was excited"" can enrich your writing. Remember to consider the subtle differences in meaning when choosing an alternative. Use "I was eager" when you want to emphasize your positive feelings about a past event or opportunity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was keen

Emphasizes enthusiasm and interest; slightly less intense than 'eager'.

I was enthusiastic

Highlights positive excitement and strong interest.

I was excited

Focuses on the feeling of anticipation and pleasure.

I couldn't wait

Emphasizes strong impatience and excitement.

I was impatient

Conveys a sense of restlessness and wanting something to happen quickly.

I looked forward to

Expresses anticipation and pleasure about a future event.

I was anxious

Implies a mix of eagerness and worry.

I was willing

Highlights readiness and consent to do something.

I yearned

Expresses a deep longing and desire.

I was ready

Indicates preparedness and willingness to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "I was eager" in a sentence?

You can use "I was eager" to express your anticipation or enthusiasm for something. For example, "I was eager to start my new job" or "I was eager to see the results of the experiment".

What can I say instead of "I was eager"?

You can use alternatives like ""I was keen"", ""I was enthusiastic"", or ""I was excited"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am eager" instead of "I was eager"?

Yes, both are correct but they refer to different time frames. "I am eager" expresses present enthusiasm, while "I was eager" refers to past enthusiasm.

What's the difference between "I was eager" and "I was anxious"?

"I was eager" typically conveys excitement and positive anticipation. "I was anxious", on the other hand, implies a mix of eagerness and worry or unease. The key difference lies in the emotional undertone.