a slightly anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is experiencing a mild level of anxiety or unease. Example: "She felt a slightly anxious flutter in her stomach before the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They talk of their work and their families in a slightly anxious litany of everyday obsessions.

The New York Times

Mr. Isserlis realized that melody, right from his first phrase, rising like a slightly anxious question and then falling out of confusion or embarrassment.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Each one seems to be charged with drama of one kind or another, imbued with a mood of slightly anxious expectation, as if ready to be interrogated about its meaning, its purpose.

Independent

He also cited Guerrillas, the 1975 colonialism story by VS Naipaul, which he described as "exquisitely crafted in order to conceal the joints" but "to which we certainly would not want to return", and Julian Barnes, whose novels have a "smart alec, slightly anxious quality" to them.

The Guardian - Books

But as I finished my second cup of brew, I noticed a shift from a relaxed state to a place that was slightly anxious.

Vice

Using Airbnb for the first time can be both an exciting and slightly anxious experience — I felt that way myself.

The New York Times - Travel

With his big worried eyes and leading-man smile, Kinnear inevitably brings an endearing, if slightly anxious, charm to any role he plays.

Los Angeles Times

By the end of my month, I am a news hermit, and slightly anxious about coming out of my cave.

The Guardian

He can scream, but it's his whisper that has always been Moreno's strong suit: a soft, wounded burble that seems to better reflect the gentle, thoughtful, slightly anxious man sipping a cup of canteen instant coffee at Warner Bros HQ in west London.

The Guardian - Music

In Minecraft: More Than a Game he took the role of slightly anxious parent, knowing that Minecraft is a creative endeavour, but worrying that children spend too much time thinking about it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This, together with the much-lauded conservation logic, makes visiting the zoo a slightly less anxious affair.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "a slightly anxious" to indicate a mild level of unease without resorting to stronger terms like "terrified" or "panicked".

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly anxious" when the situation warrants a stronger descriptor. If the context suggests a significant level of distress, consider alternatives like "very anxious" or "deeply concerned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly anxious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe a state of mild anxiety. It adds a subtle layer of emotional detail to the subject being described, as evidenced in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly anxious" is a grammatically sound and usable adjectival phrase that describes a state of mild anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples from reliable sources, primarily within the news and media domain. While not exceptionally frequent, the phrase serves to convey a sense of moderate worry or unease, suitable for neutral communicative registers. Remember to consider the context to avoid overstating the anxiety, and explore synonyms like "a little nervous" or "somewhat uneasy" for alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mildly anxious

Replaces "slightly" with "mildly", suggesting a softer degree of anxiety.

a somewhat anxious

Uses "somewhat" instead of "slightly", indicating a similar level of anxiety but with a different nuance.

a little anxious

Replaces "slightly" with "little", implying a slightly less formal tone.

a bit anxious

Uses "bit" instead of "slightly", resulting in a more casual expression.

a touch anxious

Employs "touch" to denote a very small degree of anxiety.

a tad anxious

Replaces "slightly" with "tad", providing a more informal and lighthearted feel.

a moderately anxious

Uses "moderately" instead of "slightly", indicating a somewhat stronger feeling of anxiety.

a rather anxious

Substitute "slightly" with "rather", it sounds slightly more formal.

somewhat uneasy

Changes both "slightly" and "anxious" to "somewhat" and "uneasy", offering a different choice of words with similar meaning.

a little concerned

Shifts the focus slightly from anxiety to concern, suggesting a worry about something specific.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly anxious" to describe a feeling of mild unease or worry. For example: "She felt "a slightly anxious" flutter before her presentation."

What can I say instead of "a slightly anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "a little nervous", "somewhat uneasy", or "a bit worried" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a slightly anxious" or "a very anxious"?

The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey. "A slightly anxious" suggests mild unease, while "very anxious" indicates a much stronger level of worry and distress.

What's the difference between ""a slightly anxious"" and "a slightly apprehensive"?

"Slightly anxious" generally implies a more diffuse feeling of worry, while "slightly apprehensive" suggests a specific anticipation of something potentially unpleasant.