anxiously waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxiously waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a sense of eagerness or nervous anticipation for something to happen. Example: "I was anxiously waiting for the results of the exam, hoping for a passing grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The supporters are anxiously waiting for the FA's ruling.

The Economist

Soft Serve is anxiously waiting for its Gulfstream G650.

The New York Times

"I'm anxiously waiting, just taking it all in," she said.

The Guardian

Millions of players will be anxiously waiting until next year to find out.

The New York Times - Arts

THE British car industry is anxiously waiting to hear its fate.

The Economist

But like everyone else in econoland, I'm anxiously waiting to hear what he says.

The New York Times

Investors are anxiously waiting to hear how much they will have to pay.

The Economist

About 13,000 people injected with the drug are anxiously waiting to see if symptoms develop.

The New York Times - Health

The drug industry is anxiously waiting to see details of the Democratic proposal.

The New York Times

"So we are anxiously waiting for action based on that stance".

The New York Times

Art and design colleges are anxiously waiting to see if applications will pick up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anxiously waiting" to convey a sense of nervous anticipation. It suggests more than just simple waiting; it implies a level of concern or worry about the outcome.

Common error

Be mindful of the emotional tone you intend to convey. While "anxiously waiting" can sometimes overlap with excitement, it primarily denotes a state of unease or worry. If your intention is purely excitement, consider phrases like "eagerly anticipating" or "looking forward to it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anxiously waiting" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which someone is waiting. It indicates a state of heightened anticipation and unease. As Ludwig shows, it's often used to describe individuals or groups awaiting significant news or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science & Research

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anxiously waiting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that conveys a sense of nervous anticipation. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial modifier, adding emotional depth to descriptions. Its usage spans various contexts, but it is particularly prevalent in news and media. While semantically similar alternatives exist, each carries subtle nuances. When using the phrase, be mindful of the intended emotional tone to accurately reflect the state of anticipation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It’s best practice is to accurately convey a tone of concern or worry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerly anticipating

Emphasizes positive anticipation and enthusiasm.

nervously awaiting

Highlights the anxiety or worry associated with waiting.

keenly expecting

Focuses on strong interest and anticipation.

impatiently expecting

Implies frustration or restlessness while waiting.

apprehensively anticipating

Suggests a sense of unease or concern about what's to come.

expectantly waiting

Emphasizes the belief that something good is about to happen.

with bated breath

Creates a sense of heightened suspense and excitement.

in suspense

Highlights the uncertainty and anticipation of an outcome.

on tenterhooks

Indicates a state of nervous anticipation or anxiety.

keeping a close watch

Implies vigilant observation while waiting for something to unfold.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "anxiously waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "nervously awaiting", "eagerly anticipating", or "apprehensively expecting" depending on the context.

How do I use "anxiously waiting" in a sentence?

Use "anxiously waiting" to describe a state of nervous anticipation. For example, "She was anxiously waiting for the doctor's call with her test results."

Is "anxiously awaiting" the same as "anxiously waiting"?

Yes, "anxiously awaiting" is a synonym for "anxiously waiting". Both phrases convey a similar sense of nervous anticipation. You can also say "eagerly awaiting" or "nervously awaiting".

Which is correct, "anxiously waiting for" or "anxiously waiting on"?

"Anxiously waiting for" is generally more common and preferred. "Anxiously waiting on" can be used, but it's less frequent and may sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned.