anxious with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxious with" is not commonly used in standard written English and may sound awkward to native speakers.
It could be used in contexts where someone feels anxious due to a specific situation or person, but "anxious about" is more widely accepted. Example: "She felt anxious with the upcoming exam looming over her."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We looked anxious with the ball".

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone became more anxious with my picky nature.

The New York Times

Lin described himself as "unnaturally socially anxious, with permanently self-cut hair".

The New York Times - Books

She counted her money before we went in, avenue beside us anxious with Friday-evening traffic.

The New Yorker

He said he ended up better informed and less anxious, with more free time.

The New York Times

"I'm always anxious with a show, but more so with this one.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I'm doing a mindful-awareness yoga session in the living room while taking notes for work and sending emails, with breakfast simmering on the stove that has to be stirred, making a second cup of coffee to drink as I do yoga, petting the cat who has a UTI and is wont to urinate in the most unexpected places and is extra-anxious, with reading glasses on because I forgot they were there.

Huffington Post

Children that had a total score in the top-15% (high-anxious) were compared to children with a total score from 2 points below to 2 points above the median (median-anxious) with respect to their total scores and subscale scores on the screening questionnaire.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

With final service over, the operators face an anxious wait with Fred to see if anyone returns.

BBC

Although there was no main effect of genotype on HR in men or women, high anxious men with the TT genotype had high HR, whereas high anxious men with the MM genotype had low HR.

Plosone

We hypothesized an inverse association of anxious depression with neurocognition among Hispanics of different heritage.

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "anxious with" is sometimes used, consider more common alternatives like "anxious about" for clarity and wider acceptance in formal writing. When expressing anxiety, make sure to clearly identify the source of the anxiety to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "anxious with" in formal writing or professional communication. Instead, opt for phrases such as "anxious about" or "concerned about" to maintain a professional tone and ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxious with" functions primarily as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It describes a state of being worried or uneasy in relation to something specific. Ludwig AI suggests, however, that it may sound awkward and that "anxious about" is more widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "anxious with" is used to express worry or concern, it's less common and can be perceived as awkward compared to alternatives like "anxious about". Ludwig AI identifies "anxious about" as a more widely accepted choice. Its usage is seen across news, media, and scientific contexts, but it's advisable to use it cautiously in highly formal or professional writing. Always consider the specific context to guarantee clarity and appropriateness when expressing feelings of anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious about

More common and widely accepted alternative to express worry.

worried about

A general and frequently used substitute for expressing concern.

concerned about

Similar to "worried about", but may imply a more formal tone.

apprehensive about

Suggests a feeling of anxiety specifically about the future.

uneasy about

Indicates a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

nervous about

Highlights the agitated or restless aspect of anxiety.

stressed about

Emphasizes the pressure or strain causing anxiety.

in a state of anxiety regarding

A more formal and elaborate way to express anxiety.

feeling anxiety due to

Explicitly states that the anxiety is a result of something.

filled with apprehension concerning

Highlights the feeling of foreboding related to anxiety.

FAQs

What's the difference between "anxious with" and "anxious about"?

"Anxious about" is the standard and more widely accepted phrase to express worry or concern regarding something. "Anxious with" is less common and can sound awkward to some native English speakers, as noted by Ludwig. Although it may appear in some contexts, "anxious about" is generally preferred.

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

While less common, you can use "anxious with" to express a feeling of worry or unease related to a specific cause. For example: "She was anxious with the thought of the upcoming presentation." However, consider using "anxious about" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "anxious with"?

You can use alternatives like "worried about", "concerned about", or "nervous about" depending on the context. These phrases are more standard and widely understood.

Is it grammatically incorrect to use "anxious with"?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "anxious with" is less common and may sound awkward to some. It's more accurate to say that there are more standard and preferred alternatives, such as "anxious about", which are better suited for formal contexts.