be anxious that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be anxious that" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect.
It can be used when expressing concern or worry about a specific situation or outcome, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "I tend to be anxious that I won't meet the deadline for the project."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Another source of Republican defensiveness: With the military being hailed for taking out bin Laden, Bush officials may be anxious that their torture policies will finally be seen -- by the public and the military -- to have endangered our nation's defenders, about whom they touted themselves more-supportive-than-thou. For argument's sake, jeopardy trumps utility.

Huffington Post

Mr Obama himself should be anxious that the mess will become, at the least, a distraction.

The Economist

The Yankees were said to be anxious that he might not choose them.

The New York Times

Those lawyers will be anxious that the £20,000 figure is not seen as a benchmark for the settling of damages in other provable claims.

Independent

Sinn Fein may, however, be anxious that a forthcoming book could contain damaging allegations about Mr Adams' republican past which could put the party on the defensive.

Independent

"I appreciate that it has now been over five years since Mr Rigg's death and that his family, the officers involved and the FME will be anxious that we proceed as quickly as possible.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

America is anxious that Mr Wang's visit is not postponed.

The Economist

Organisations do not want to see disruptions to their business and many enterprises are anxious that system failure may affect their reputations.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Adolescents are anxious, that's normal.

Huffington Post

If you're anxious, that's going to make you even more anxious.

Huffington Post

But he was anxious that day, more than 50 years ago, when he was filling in for Perry Como as host on the crooner's variety television show.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "worry that" or "be concerned that" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be anxious that" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler expressions like "I'm worried" or "I'm concerned" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be anxious that" functions as a predicative adjective followed by a that-clause. It indicates a state of worry or concern regarding the content of the clause. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be anxious that" is a grammatically sound way to express worry or concern, though Ludwig suggests it might not always be the most stylish choice. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also has representation in scientific and academic writing. While acceptable, consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "worry that" or "be concerned that" for a greater impact. When writing, it is better to use more standard expressions. For example, "I tend to be anxious that I won't meet the deadline for the project." You can also use alternatives such as "worry that" or "be concerned that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be concerned that

Replaces "anxious" with "concerned", offering a slightly more formal tone.

worry that

Uses the verb "worry" for a more direct and common expression of anxiety.

be worried that

Similar to "worry that", but uses the adjective "worried" for a slightly different emphasis.

fear that

Emphasizes the element of fear or apprehension about a potential outcome.

be afraid that

Expresses fear directly, suitable for situations where the speaker anticipates a negative outcome.

have concerns that

Expresses anxiety as a possession of concerns, suitable for formal contexts.

be apprehensive that

Substitutes "anxious" with "apprehensive", indicating a sense of unease or dread.

be uneasy that

Replaces "anxious" with "uneasy", suggesting a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

feel uneasy that

Highlights the feeling of unease as the primary emotion, rather than simply stating anxiety.

dread that

Uses "dread" to highlight a strong feeling of fear or reluctance regarding a future event.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "be anxious that"?

You can use alternatives like "be concerned that", "worry that", or "fear that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be anxious that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "be anxious that" is grammatically correct, but it can sound somewhat formal or less common than alternatives. Ludwig AI notes that while acceptable, it may not be the most stylish choice.

How can I use "be anxious that" in a sentence?

Use "be anxious that" to express worry or concern about a specific situation or outcome. For example, "I am anxious that the project will not be completed on time."

What's the difference between "be anxious that" and "be concerned that"?

While both express worry, "be concerned that" often carries a slightly more formal tone and can imply a deeper level of thoughtfulness about the issue. "Be anxious that" is generally about worry and fear.