anxious gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's expression or look that conveys worry or concern. Example: "She looked at the exam results with an anxious gaze, fearing the worst."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Above all, he asked his followers to turn their anxious gaze to foreigners, whom he portrayed as the thieves of their money and their dreams.

The New Yorker

From time to time, Tanya noticed the anxious gaze of Andrey's wife, Olga, resting on her, but she found this merely amusing.

The New Yorker

The Bulls no longer retreat to the bench with the anxious gaze that so often preceded a tongue-lashing from Collins, a frenetic coach in the sweat-drenched shirt.

The New York Times - Sports

GUANGZHOU, China — As the once-a-decade tussle over how to fill seats in the Communist Party's supreme ruling body enters its final days, many of the nation's beleaguered liberals are casting an anxious gaze southward to Guangdong Province in the hope that the top official of this booming export hub near Hong Kong might win a coveted spot in the central leadership.

The New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO — The corner table on the small deck overlooking the bay was marked "Spithill," and the parents, wife, sister and brother of the Oracle Team USA skipper alternated their anxious gaze from the boats on the water to the tiny screens of iPads in front of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The pianist (envious? contemptuous? confused? anxious?) gazes at the dancer, but the dancer never gazes back, although she does crawl on top of the piano to sing the last verse.

The New York Times - Arts

Anxious to escape their gaze, we were out of the vehicle almost before Neil could open the doors, the house's resident curator Matthew leaning against the wooden gate that leads down the wide driveway.

The Guardian - Travel

For the average fund manager, perhaps anxious to avoid the stern gaze of the business secretary, Vince Cable, it is easy to express disapproval when nothing hangs on the result.

The Guardian - Business

High-anxious individuals were more likely to direct gaze at intense negative facial expressions, than low-anxious individuals, whereas the groups did not differ in orienting to mild negative expressions.

Biological Psychology

Without my family, I was not only free from their watchful gaze but also from their anxious, worried faces that encouraged me to eat for their sake.

Huffington Post

Many eyes may be gazing toward the sky in anxious anticipation of new drone delivery systems, but an increasing number of intelligent robot systems is already on the ground, in warehouses and manufacturing facilities, helping to manufacture and move products across the globe.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anxious gaze" to vividly portray a character's inner turmoil or anticipation, adding depth to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "anxious gaze" to depict worry. Vary your descriptions with other sensory details and internal thoughts to create a more nuanced portrayal of anxiety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious gaze" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying a noun (gaze) with an adjective (anxious). It enhances the noun by specifying the quality or nature of the "gaze", according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anxious gaze" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe a look filled with worry or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is indeed correct and suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to effectively communicate a character's emotional state. While there are no specific grammatical errors associated with the phrase, overusing it can diminish its impact. Therefore, alternative phrases such as "worried look" or "nervous stare" can provide variety and depth to one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worried look

Replaces "gaze" with a more general term for facial expression, focusing on the emotion.

nervous stare

Substitutes "anxious" with "nervous" and "gaze" with "stare", emphasizing unease and intensity.

concerned expression

Replaces both words with broader terms, highlighting the outward display of concern.

uneasy look

Focuses on the feeling of unease reflected in the appearance.

apprehensive glance

Uses "glance" to suggest a quick, fearful look.

fearful gaze

Emphasizes fear as the primary emotion conveyed through the look.

watchful eye

Shifts from a "gaze" to a more general sense of attentiveness and observation, typically implying caution.

intent observation

Replaces the emotional aspect with focused attention, potentially driven by anxiety.

scanning look

Highlights the act of searching or surveying, potentially fueled by anxiety or anticipation.

restless regard

Emphasizes the unsettled or uneasy nature of the visual attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "anxious gaze" to describe a character's expression, for example: "She cast an "anxious gaze" towards the door, waiting for news".

What's a good alternative to "anxious gaze"?

Alternatives include "worried look", "nervous stare", or "concerned expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "anxious gaze" formal or informal?

"Anxious gaze" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though more descriptive alternatives might be preferable in highly formal contexts.

What emotions does "anxious gaze" typically convey?

"Anxious gaze" primarily conveys worry, apprehension, and unease, but can also suggest anticipation or a heightened state of alert.