a tangible nervousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tangible nervousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of anxiety or apprehension that is noticeable or palpable in a person or situation. Example: "As she stepped onto the stage, there was a tangible nervousness in the air, felt by both the audience and the performer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is a tangible nervousness in global media today.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There is a real nervousness from people," Joiner said.

Los Angeles Times

It makes a tangible difference.

The New York Times

"It involves absolute truth, a tangible asset.

The New York Times

And Sir John left a tangible legacy.

The Economist

Truth is a tangible entity.

The New York Times - Books

To become a tangible thing?

The Guardian - Books

Solidarity is a tangible asset.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's a tangible accomplishment.

The New York Times

"It's a tangible product now".

The New York Times - Sports

Not bad for a tangible outcome.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tangible nervousness" when you want to emphasize that the feeling of nervousness is not just present, but also clearly perceptible and affecting the atmosphere or individuals involved. It suggests a nervousness that can be sensed by others.

Common error

Avoid using "tangible" too loosely with abstract nouns. While "a tangible nervousness" can work, ensure the context supports the idea that the nervousness is so strong it feels almost physically present. If the feeling is more subtle, consider alternatives like "noticeable anxiety" or "perceptible tension".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tangible nervousness" functions as a noun phrase, where "tangible" modifies the noun "nervousness". It describes a specific quality or characteristic of the nervousness, emphasizing its perceptibility. As Ludwig AI points out, this use makes the feeling almost physically present.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tangible nervousness" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a strong, perceptible feeling of anxiety or unease. While not very common, it effectively conveys a tense atmosphere, particularly in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and describes a feeling of anxiety that is noticeable. For greater impact or clarity, consider using alternatives such as "a palpable unease" or "a noticeable anxiety". Remember to reserve "tangible" for contexts where the nervousness is so strong it feels almost physically present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a palpable unease

Replaces "nervousness" with "unease" and "tangible" with "palpable", both emphasizing a perceptible feeling.

a palpable anxiety

Combines "palpable" with "anxiety" to emphasize that the anxiety can be strongly felt.

a noticeable anxiety

Substitutes "nervousness" with "anxiety", highlighting the state of worry and apprehension.

a perceptible tension

Replaces "nervousness" with "tension", focusing on the strained or stressed state.

an evident apprehension

Uses "apprehension" instead of "nervousness", conveying a sense of worry about the future.

a marked nervousness

Employs "marked" to emphasize that the nervousness is particularly noticeable.

a clear disquiet

Employs "disquiet" to express a lack of calmness or peace, making the feeling manifest.

a real sense of anxiety

Replaces "tangible nervousness" with "a real sense of anxiety", emphasizing the genuine feeling of anxiety.

a distinct unease

Uses "distinct" to emphasize that the unease is clearly present and discernible.

a feeling of palpable tension

Replaces "a tangible nervousness" with "a feeling of palpable tension", emphasizing a stress that can be strongly felt.

FAQs

How can I use "a tangible nervousness" in a sentence?

You can use "a tangible nervousness" to describe a situation where anxiety or unease is strongly felt and easily noticed. For example, "As the deadline approached, there was "a tangible nervousness" in the office, affecting everyone's productivity."

What's a good substitute for "a tangible nervousness"?

Alternatives include "a palpable unease", "a noticeable anxiety", or "a perceptible tension". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a tangible nervousness" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "a tangible nervousness" isn't very common. Phrases like "a palpable sense of unease" or "a noticeable level of anxiety" are more frequently used to express similar ideas.

What does it mean to describe something as "tangible"?

"Tangible" means something that can be touched or felt, or something that is real and definite. When used with an abstract noun like "nervousness", it implies the feeling is so strong that it is almost physically present or easily perceived.