anxious to show

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious to show" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong desire or eagerness to demonstrate something to others. Example: "She was anxious to show her parents the artwork she had created for the school exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some faculty members seemed anxious to show how different Pepperdine was.

The New York Times

Programmers, especially in the academy, were anxious to show that they weren't mere technicians.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite the differences, the leaders are anxious to show some progress.

The New York Times

Major General Hammond is anxious to show that the U.S. is not at war with Islam.

The New York Times

But the government, widely regarded as weak, is anxious to show that it is on the side of justice.

The Economist

These days it is less headstrong, anxious to show voters it can manage relations with the mainland.

The Economist

Laura then fell into a spiral of overwork, anxious to show others and herself that she could handle the challenge.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

In India real life TV hosts are so anxious not to show class bias, they are unctuously friendly.

Huffington Post

Even a day after the stressor, the most anxious subjects continued to show severe symptoms, suggesting a lingering response from the anxiety.

The New York Times - Health

However, using facial stimuli rated on their criticalness, Lundh and Öst (1996) found that individuals with SP recognized more critical than accepting faces, whereas non-anxious controls tended to show the opposite pattern.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Following the marathon, the Sierra Leonean team had arranged to meet at Admiralty Arch, but quickly became anxious when Lahun failed to show up.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anxious to show" when you want to emphasize a desire to reveal or demonstrate something, often implying a sense of eagerness or concern about making a particular impression.

Common error

Avoid using "anxious to show" if your primary intention is to express worry or concern. While "anxious" can imply worry, in this construction, it mainly conveys eagerness. Use alternatives like "concerned" or "worried" if expressing apprehension is your goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious to show" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, followed by an infinitive. It expresses a state of eagerness or strong desire to demonstrate or reveal something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anxious to show" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express eagerness or a strong desire to demonstrate something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is frequently found in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. While it can imply a sense of worry, its primary meaning is about eagerness to reveal or display. If you want to convey worry or apprehension, consider alternative phrases like "concerned about showing". When aiming for a more formal tone, "keen to demonstrate" may be a better choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to display

Replaces "anxious" with "eager", suggesting a more positive and enthusiastic feeling.

keen to demonstrate

Uses "keen" to convey a strong enthusiasm and willingness to show something.

determined to reveal

Emphasizes resolve to make something known rather than just show it.

resolved to exhibit

A more formal alternative, indicating a firm decision to present something.

intent on proving

Focuses on demonstrating something to establish its truth or validity.

motivated to present

Highlights the internal drive to showcase or offer something.

compelled to unveil

Suggests an external force or strong internal urge to reveal something previously hidden.

itching to flaunt

Conveys a strong desire to show off, often with a sense of pride or boastfulness. It is more informal and less neutral.

longing to share

Expresses a heartfelt desire to make something known or experienced by others. It emphasizes a sense of connection and emotional investment.

yearning to uncover

Emphasizes a deep desire to reveal something hidden or unknown. It suggests a sense of mystery and anticipation.

FAQs

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

You can use "anxious to show" to express someone's eagerness to demonstrate something, as in, "The government is anxious to show that it is on the side of justice."

What are some alternatives to "anxious to show"?

Alternatives include "eager to display", "keen to demonstrate", or "determined to reveal" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "anxious to show" formal or informal?

"Anxious to show" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

When should I NOT use "anxious to show"?

Avoid using "anxious to show" if you primarily want to convey worry or unease. In those cases, use phrases that directly express concern, like "worried about showing" or "concerned about revealing."