anxious expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of eager anticipation or nervousness about something that is about to happen. Example: "As the day of the exam approached, she felt a sense of anxious expectation, wondering if all her preparation would pay off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For five thrilling, fleeting minutes, it's heaven on Broadway, one of those hallowed occasions in theater when anxious expectation is transformed in a heartbeat into sweet consummation.

The New York Times

People talk about the certainties of the 1950's, but my 1950's were spent in anxious expectation of nuclear cataclysm.

The New York Times

Mr. Baldick is no doubt enjoying the Edwards surge, though the look in his face is, characteristically, one of anxious expectation, as if disaster were around the corner.

The New York Times

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

In an enormous square in an unnamed city (Rome? Constantinople? It doesn't matter, because it keeps happening everywhere, after all), a throng has gathered in anxious expectation of the arrival of some (also unnamed) "barbarians".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The stock has come under pressure this week following an analyst downgrade and a profit warning from Swedish rival LM Ericsson, but Thursday's results defied anxious expectations.

Forbes

As she wakes she feels a little more herself, a little more refreshed, slightly less engulfed in the reigns of anxious expectations of what will be next.

Huffington Post

While small children are sent each day to stressful settings where their ability to learn is arguably impaired, older students are in a rat race, cramming for high-stakes tests and striving -- sometimes desperately -- to meet the anxious expectations of parents and school officials.

Huffington Post

However, non-GP members of the practice team who are not used to being involved in planning, assessing improvement or participating in training can be anxious about expectations to do so [ 15].

BMC Family Practice

Low mood might conceivably have had an impact on expectations, with depressed and anxious patients expecting a less favorable outcome.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Participants, however, seem more anxious about "lowering expectations" than about achieving the first tangible results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional tone you want to convey. If the focus is primarily on excitement, consider using "eager anticipation" instead. If the focus is on worry, "apprehensive anticipation" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "anxious expectation" when the situation involves only a neutral or positive anticipation. The 'anxious' component adds a layer of worry or unease that should be contextually relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious expectation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is acceptable in written English, used to describe anticipation mixed with nervousness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anxious expectation" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a state of anticipation mingled with unease. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It appears primarily in news and media contexts, and to a lesser extent in scientific writing. While "anxious expectation" is relatively infrequent, several alternative phrases can be used to convey similar meanings, such as "apprehensive anticipation" or "nervous anticipation". When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the inclusion of both anticipation and anxiety to accurately reflect the intended emotional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious anticipation

Synonymous, offering a slight variation in word choice.

apprehensive anticipation

Emphasizes the element of worry or fear associated with the expectation.

nervous anticipation

Highlights the feeling of nervousness linked to what is expected.

eager apprehension

Combines eagerness with a sense of foreboding or anxiety.

uneasy anticipation

Conveys a sense of discomfort or unease about the expected event.

worried anticipation

Focuses more specifically on the worry aspect of the expectation.

fearful expectation

Emphasizes the fear associated with the anticipated event.

suspenseful anticipation

Highlights the feeling of suspense while waiting.

restless expectation

Suggests a state of agitation or inability to remain still while waiting.

trepidatious anticipation

A more formal way of expressing anxious anticipation, emphasizing fear and hesitation.

FAQs

What does "anxious expectation" mean?

The phrase "anxious expectation" describes a state of anticipating something with a mix of eagerness and anxiety or worry about the outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "anxious expectation" in writing?

Use "anxious expectation" when you want to convey both anticipation and unease about a future event. It suggests a blend of excitement and worry regarding what is to come.

What can I say instead of "anxious expectation"?

You can use alternatives like "apprehensive anticipation", "nervous anticipation", or "eager apprehension" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "anxious expectation" differ from "eager expectation"?

"Anxious expectation" includes a component of worry or unease alongside anticipation, while "eager expectation" focuses solely on the excitement and positive anticipation.