anxious response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious response" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction characterized by anxiety or nervousness in various contexts, such as psychology, communication, or emotional reactions. Example: "The patient's anxious response to the diagnosis was evident in their body language and speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Cortisol abolished this typical anxious response pattern, but only in low anxious participants.

Physiology & Behavior

The cowboys on horseback clicked tongues and shouted "Hey-hah!" The cows twitched tails and lowed in anxious response.

The New York Times

It's arguably another powerful sign of -- and perhaps an anxious response to -- the mass cultural shift away from spiritual and psychological ground to the purely physical.

The New York Times

In a landmark essay for Wired magazine in 2000, Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, wrote a heartfelt and somewhat anxious response to Kurzweil's vision, during which he recalled the penultimate scene in Woody Allen's film, Manhattan.

Independent

As the maker of Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Girls and True Detective, HBO is known for pushing boundaries in storytelling but the leaked consent form, and the union's anxious response, opened a window on how the industry works, and what viewers can expect when Westworld airs next year.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

After all, this is a man whose last album, Get To Heaven, was a "wretched and anxious" response to Islamic State militants, beheadings, mass shootings and political corruption.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Learned anxiety: Children can learn anxious responses from the people in their homes.

The Washington Post

The intervention group showed significant decrease in the number of parents with "harmful understanding" and "anxious" responses concerning innocent heart murmurs compared to the control group [ 15].

BMC Pediatrics

But that movement was doomed by the government's anxious, brutish response to the Tiananmen Square demonstrations of 1989.

The Economist

Other well-known "countermeasures" include taking a mild sedative; using mental imagery to calm yourself; and biting your tongue to make yourself seem anxious in response to random questions.

The New Yorker

This is important when studying children with PDD because they are hyperkinetic and easily anxious in response to background noise or obstructive spaces.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific anxious response, consider detailing the context and triggers to provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "anxious response" as a blanket term for all reactions to stress. Be specific about the nature and intensity of the response to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious response" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "anxious" modifies the noun "response". According to Ludwig, it's used to describe a reaction that is characterized by anxiety or nervousness, evident in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anxious response" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a reaction characterized by anxiety or nervousness. While not overly common, it appears primarily in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Semantically related phrases include "nervous reaction" or "worried answer". When using the term, specificity about the triggers and nature of the response will add clarity. Understanding that "anxious response" differs from a full-blown "anxiety attack" is crucial for accurate communication. Finally, while usable across registers, "anxious response" often appears more frequently in professional or scientific settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervous reaction

Focuses more on the physiological aspect of anxiety.

apprehensive reply

Emphasizes the hesitant nature of the response due to anxiety.

worried answer

Highlights the concern underlying the response.

fearful reaction

Implies a stronger emotional component, focusing on fear.

uneasy response

Suggests a lack of comfort or certainty in the reaction.

agitated reply

Indicates a state of heightened arousal and anxiety in the response.

restless reaction

Focuses on the inability to stay still or be at ease in response to something.

tense answer

Highlights the strained or tight nature of the response due to anxiety.

hesitant reply

Emphasizes the delay or pause in responding because of anxiety.

perturbed reaction

Implies a disturbance of one's composure leading to an anxious response.

FAQs

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

You can use "anxious response" to describe a reaction characterized by anxiety or nervousness. For instance, "The patient's anxious response to the diagnosis was evident in their body language and speech."

What are some alternatives to "anxious response"?

You could use phrases like "nervous reaction", "worried answer", or "fearful reaction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "anxious response" a formal or informal expression?

"Anxious response" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in psychological or medical discussions. In more casual settings, a simpler phrase like "nervous reaction" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "anxious response" and "anxiety attack"?

"Anxious response" refers to a general reaction showing anxiety, while "anxiety attack" describes a specific, intense episode of overwhelming anxiety. The former is broader and less severe than the latter.