anxious to play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious to play" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing eagerness or excitement to engage in a game or activity. Example: "The children were anxious to play outside as soon as the rain stopped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I'm just anxious to play.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're not anxious to play L.S.U.

The New York Times

Canada is anxious to play its cards right.

The Guardian - Business

The writer was anxious to play well by her standards.

The New Yorker

I'm anxious to play, anxious to get out there".

The New York Times - Sports

But he also appears anxious to play up perceived virtues.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

This part of the decision is a compromise Villeneuve is anxious to see play out on the streets.

Vice

"I am sure he is anxious and excited to play in the championship game".

The New York Times - Sports

And you ought to, since now is the time to cut deals, and the retailers are more anxious than ever to play ball.

Forbes

"I love those guys (referring to Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera)." "I'm anxious and excited to play".

Huffington Post

To promote the event, held in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, the Generals had advertised that this was the last chance to see Orr in junior and were anxious for him to play.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anxious to play" to convey eagerness, but be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, "anxious" can sometimes imply worry. Ensure your intended meaning is clear and aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

While "anxious to play" is commonly used, in formal writing, consider using synonyms like "eager" or "keen" to maintain a professional tone and avoid any potential negative connotations associated with "anxious".

Linguistic Context

"Anxious to play" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, expressing their emotional state in relation to a future action. It conveys a sense of eagerness and anticipation. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anxious to play" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express eagerness and anticipation for participating in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. While mostly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "eager" or "keen" to avoid any potential negative connotations. Remember that, while generally accepted, "anxious" may sometimes imply worry. Therefore, ensure the context clarifies the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to play

Emphasizes enthusiasm and anticipation, similar to "anxious to play" but slightly more positive in tone.

keen to play

Indicates strong interest and willingness, portraying a sense of enthusiasm.

impatient to play

Highlights the restlessness and eagerness, suggesting a desire for the activity to start immediately.

can't wait to play

Expresses excitement and anticipation, indicating a strong desire for the activity to begin.

itching to play

Suggests a strong urge and restlessness, emphasizing the desire to participate.

longing to play

Implies a deep desire and yearning, adding a sense of longing.

excited to play

Highlights the positive emotion of excitement, focusing on the joyful anticipation.

yearning to play

Similar to 'longing', this phrase stresses a profound desire to take part.

raring to play

Conveys readiness and enthusiasm, indicating a prepared and eager state.

wanting to play

Simple and direct, expressing a basic desire to participate.

FAQs

What does "anxious to play" mean?

The phrase "anxious to play" means someone is eagerly anticipating and excited to participate in a game, sport, or activity. It suggests a strong desire and impatience to begin playing.

What can I say instead of "anxious to play"?

You can use alternatives like "eager to play", "keen to play", or "impatient to play" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "anxious to play"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules, using "anxious" as an adjective describing the feeling or state of wanting to play, followed by the infinitive "to play".

How can I use "anxious to play" in a sentence?

You can use "anxious to play" in sentences like: "The team was anxious to play after weeks of practice.", "He was anxious to play his new video game.", or "The children were anxious to play outside in the snow."