anxious thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing feelings of worry, unease, or nervousness that occupy one's mind. Example: "As she lay in bed, her anxious thoughts kept her awake, replaying the events of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whatever Vermeer's anxious thoughts, light stayed on his mind.

The New York Times - Arts

The real cause of my troubles was my anxious thoughts and feelings.

The Guardian

But later, on a Saturday evening, a crowded, noisy bistro seemed to belie our anxious thoughts.

The New York Times

Efforts to avoid or suppress thinking anxious thoughts are most likely to be unproductive and backfire.

The New York Times - Health

Framed by his increasingly anxious thoughts on the danger of pornography, the episode is filled with panic, shame and failure.

The New York Times - Arts

Anxious thoughts crowd out her bandwidth, blocking the admission of any useful information the teacher might be trying to impart.

The Guardian - Opinion

MDMA or a similar drug could act as a switch that would shut off depressive or anxious thoughts.

The Guardian

Academic life frequently triggers anxious thoughts and feelings connected to my APAs: approval, perfectionism, control, vulnerability and dependency.

The Guardian

(And one that, after the continuing trauma at "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," inevitably inspires more anxious thoughts about secure rigging than gasps of surprise or awe).

The New York Times

After the BAT, clients typically report on the severity of their anxiety and on any anxious thoughts that occurred during the exercise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our study shows no association with MVPA, suggesting that 'anxious thoughts' are not per se (linear) related to physical activity.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about mental health, use the phrase "anxious thoughts" to accurately describe recurring thoughts that cause distress. For instance, "She struggled with "anxious thoughts" before her presentation."

Common error

Avoid using "anxious thoughts" to describe mild worry. Reserve it for situations involving persistent and excessive worry that significantly impacts daily life. "Feeling a bit nervous" isn't the same as experiencing pervasive "anxious thoughts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious thoughts" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes the subjective experience of anxiety manifesting as specific thoughts. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's widely used to denote recurring, distressing thoughts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anxious thoughts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe recurring, distressing thoughts related to anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic discussions. While it's appropriate for formal and informal settings, it's crucial to reserve it for situations involving significant and persistent worry rather than mild, transient anxieties. Consider alternatives like "worried thoughts" or "nervous thoughts" to fine-tune the specific meaning you want to convey. When expressing mental health issues accurately, using "anxious thoughts" is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worried thoughts

Replaces "anxious" with "worried", a direct synonym with minimal change in connotation.

nervous thoughts

Substitutes "anxious" with "nervous", emphasizing the feeling of agitation and unease.

uneasy thoughts

Replaces "anxious" with "uneasy", highlighting a lack of comfort and security.

fearful thoughts

Substitutes "anxious" with "fearful", focusing on thoughts driven by fear.

apprehensive thoughts

Replaces "anxious" with "apprehensive", suggesting a sense of foreboding or anticipation of something negative.

distressed thoughts

Substitutes "anxious" with "distressed", emphasizing the mental suffering and anguish.

troubled thoughts

Replaces "anxious" with "troubled", suggesting thoughts that are causing concern and difficulty.

preoccupied thoughts

Shifts the focus to the state of being absorbed or engrossed in worrying thoughts.

obsessive worries

Highlights the repetitive and intrusive nature of the anxious thoughts, focusing on their obsessive quality.

ruminating thoughts

Emphasizes the act of continuously dwelling on anxious thoughts, highlighting the cyclical nature of rumination.

FAQs

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

You can use "anxious thoughts" to describe feelings of worry, unease, or nervousness that occupy one's mind. For example, "His "anxious thoughts" kept him awake all night before the exam."

What are some alternatives to "anxious thoughts"?

Alternatives to "anxious thoughts" include "worried thoughts", "nervous thoughts", or "fearful thoughts" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "anxious thoughts" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "anxious thoughts" is perfectly correct and commonly used in written English to describe thoughts characterized by anxiety. It's a standard and widely understood term.

What's the difference between "anxious thoughts" and "worries"?

"Anxious thoughts" refers specifically to thoughts that are characterized by anxiety, while "worries" is a broader term that can refer to any concerns or sources of anxiety. "Anxious thoughts" often suggests a more intense and pervasive state than simply having "worries".