anxious colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe colleagues who are feeling nervous or worried about a situation or task. Example: "During the meeting, I noticed my anxious colleagues fidgeting in their seats as we discussed the upcoming project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He's been signaling anxious colleagues that the whole issue should be directed toward the ultimate dead-letter office: the House ethics committee.

The New York Times

Two fire fighters venture towards the warehouse wearing breathing apparatus, watched by their anxious colleagues, as they approach the undead Hell.

The Guardian - Arts

Addressing his anxious colleagues at their weekly meeting on Sept. 12, Mr. Gardner had a simple message: If we don't have something to run on, we are going to squander this opportunity.

The New York Times

The press, and those tempted by critical stories need to get around the country more and, in particular, to attend Nick Clegg's long 'town hall' meetings with party members where he deals with tough questions from anxious colleagues, and demonstrates with considerable capability and warmth why Liberal Democrats are in government and what is being achieved by them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the anxious colleague often knows that she is worrying to excess but is unable to change on her own.

Science Magazine

Angry faces represent a direct threat, and therefore detection of an anxious colleague's alarm cues may elicit greater vigilance in evaluating whether stimuli signal potential for danger.

Plosone

Despite the anxious times, colleagues say Sir David manages to infuse board meetings with a playfulness intended to keep tensions from running too high.

The New York Times

He still remembers his colleagues' anxious, frenzied reactions to what they thought was the death of print.

The New Yorker

Livingstone said the Labour party leader was working with many colleagues anxious to preserve key elements of the Blair-Brown legacy.

The Guardian

Mr. Byrd's long speeches have irritated some of his colleagues anxious to adjourn, but he has his defenders even across the aisle.

The New York Times

(When Balanchine was preparing this production in 1954, colleagues anxious about the expense proposed that he stage the ballet without the ascending tree. He's said to have replied, essentially, the ballet is the Christmas tree).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a professional setting, consider the specific emotion behind the "anxious colleagues". Are they generally worried, or is there a specific cause for their anxiety? More precise language can improve clarity.

Common error

While "anxious colleagues" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "concerned colleagues" or "worried colleagues" to add variety and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious colleagues" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "anxious" modifies the noun "colleagues". It describes a group of coworkers who are experiencing anxiety. Ludwig indicates this is a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anxious colleagues" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe coworkers experiencing worry or unease. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's essential to consider context. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, though academic and business contexts also utilize it. For variety, consider synonyms such as "worried coworkers" or "concerned colleagues" to avoid repetition and refine the emotional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colleagues feeling anxious

Adds "feeling" to emphasize the experience of anxiety within the colleagues.

worried coworkers

Replaces "colleagues" with "coworkers" and "anxious" with "worried", maintaining a similar meaning but with slightly different connotations.

colleagues showing anxiety

Focuses on the outward display of anxiety rather than the internal feeling.

concerned colleagues

Substitutes "anxious" with "concerned", indicating a level of worry that might be more about general well-being rather than acute anxiety.

apprehensive colleagues

Replaces "anxious" with "apprehensive", suggesting a fear of something specific that might happen in the future.

uneasy colleagues

Substitutes "anxious" with "uneasy", conveying a sense of discomfort or mild anxiety.

nervous colleagues

Replaces "anxious" with "nervous", implying a state of agitation or heightened sensitivity.

stressed colleagues

Substitutes "anxious" with "stressed", focusing on the pressure and strain the colleagues are experiencing.

colleagues with anxiety

Emphasizes the presence of anxiety as a characteristic, possibly ongoing, condition.

colleagues in distress

Shifts the focus to the state of distress, which could encompass anxiety but also other negative emotions.

FAQs

How can I replace "anxious colleagues" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "worried coworkers", "concerned colleagues", or "apprehensive colleagues" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "anxious colleagues" in formal writing?

"Anxious colleagues" is generally acceptable but consider using a more formal alternative like "concerned colleagues" in highly professional contexts.

What does "anxious colleagues" mean?

"Anxious colleagues" refers to coworkers who are experiencing worry, nervousness, or unease about a situation or task.

What's the difference between "anxious colleagues" and "stressed colleagues"?

"Anxious colleagues" implies worry and unease, while "stressed colleagues" emphasizes the pressure and strain the colleagues are experiencing. The best choice depends on the specific context.