becoming nervous

USAGE SUMMARY

"becoming nervous" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use "becoming nervous" as a verb phrase to describe the process of someone starting to feel nervous. It can be used to add more description and detail to a sentence. Example: As she stepped onto the stage, Sarah could feel herself becoming nervous.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

German companies are becoming nervous.

The New York Times

Suddenly becoming nervous, he halts the discussions.

The New York Times - Magazine

With Turkey's shift in foreign policy, Azerbaijan is becoming nervous.

The New York Times

Potential investors in west Africa are becoming nervous.

The Economist

By the next morning, the fourth day in the Palestinian house, Yaron Ishai is becoming nervous.

The New York Times - Magazine

The news came amid heightened fears that banks are becoming nervous about lending to each other.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Rousselot waited, becoming increasingly nervous.

The New Yorker

Advertisers are becoming increasingly nervous about the prospect of war on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Guardian

But industry executives are becoming more nervous about Mr. Gore as the presidential campaign progresses.

The New York Times

The industry is also becoming increasingly nervous about what happens when that fuel is burned.

The New York Times - Tech

Being steeped in the process of learning and exploring keeps me from becoming too nervous.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming nervous" to describe a gradual onset of anxiety or unease, rather than a sudden, acute feeling of panic. It's useful when illustrating a character's emotional state over time or in response to unfolding events.

Common error

Avoid using "becoming nervous" when describing someone experiencing significant physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g. rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath). More specific terms like "panicking" or "having an anxiety attack" would be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming nervous" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the process of transitioning into a state of nervousness. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs to illustrate the evolving emotional state of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becoming nervous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the process of transitioning into a state of anxiety. As Ludwig AI states, its primary function is to convey this gradual change in emotional state. Occurring most often in news and media contexts, the phrase is suitable for neutral and descriptive writing across a variety of subjects. While generally interchangeable with similar phrases like "growing anxious" or "getting worried", it's important to consider the specific nuance and intensity you wish to convey. Remember to avoid using this phrase when you want to describe a more specific feeling, since it is very generic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing anxious

Focuses on the gradual increase of anxiety, similar to "becoming nervous" but emphasizes the process.

growing uneasy

Similar to "becoming nervous" but emphasizes a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

getting worried

Implies a state of concern or apprehension about something specific, less general than "becoming nervous".

developing anxiety

Highlights the onset of a more significant and persistent state of anxiety.

feeling apprehensive

Emphasizes a sense of unease or dread about a future event.

turning fearful

Suggests a shift towards a state of fear, a stronger emotion than nervousness.

starting to fret

Indicates a state of worry, often about minor details or concerns.

getting edgy

Implies a state of restlessness and irritability, often due to anxiety or impatience.

developing jitters

Refers to a feeling of nervous excitement or anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms.

feeling jittery

Highlights a state of nervousness associated with twitching or shaking.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming nervous" in a sentence?

You can use "becoming nervous" to describe the gradual onset of anxiety or apprehension, like "As the deadline approached, he started "becoming nervous" about the project's completion."

What are some alternative ways to express "becoming nervous"?

Alternatives include "growing anxious", "getting worried", or "feeling apprehensive", each conveying a slightly different nuance of unease.

Is there a difference between "becoming nervous" and "being nervous"?

"Becoming nervous" describes the process of transitioning into a state of nervousness, while "being nervous" indicates a current state of anxiety. For example, "She was "becoming nervous" before the interview" versus "She was nervous during the interview."

When is it more appropriate to use "becoming anxious" instead of "becoming nervous"?

"Becoming anxious" implies a deeper level of worry and unease than "becoming nervous". Use "becoming anxious" when describing a more significant and persistent emotional state.