desperately anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperately anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of worry or concern about something, often in a situation where one feels a lack of control. Example: "She was desperately anxious about the outcome of the job interview, unable to focus on anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It is a chance Mr Fischer has spent much of his life working for, as environment minister in the state of Hesse and most recently as the Greens' parliamentary leader in Bonn, and he is desperately anxious it should not slip away.And in foreign affairs?

The Economist

Throughout the sailors' captivity, the press laid siege to their desperately anxious parents and friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

And desperately anxious jobless people with families and mortgages are probably facing stress of a sort unknown to most teachers.

Independent

After the successive disasters sustained by the Axis in Africa, many of the Italian leaders were desperately anxious to make peace with the Allies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One version must be desperately anxious, because he tells me: "I worry to the best of my ability, almost constantly I worry.

The Guardian - Film

Roiled by these conflicting father figures, desperately anxious at their threats to his possession of Glenda, Shuggie is barely able to contain a murderous rage.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

We don't have a lot of research showing that a lot of seven-year-olds are desperately more anxious.

The Guardian

William just seems desperately unhappy, an anxious sacrifice too befuddled by his destiny to grasp its needs or meaning.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the combination that keeps the sisters so anxious, so desperately solicitous.

The New York Times

"I desperately yearn for that anxious feeling of my heart rate jumping while pacing and sitting on the edge of my seat impatiently waiting to see the U.S.F.

The New York Times - Sports

Like Page, she italicizes, but she has genuine theatrical skill, so her Mrs. Elton, swooping and dipping in flights of arrogant self-serving nonsensical observation, and her Miss Bates, anxious and desperately self-conscious even as she talks without end, are both sustained comic creations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately anxious" to convey a strong sense of urgency and worry, particularly when the individual feels powerless to change the situation. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts, adding emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

While "desperately anxious" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its impact. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "deeply concerned" or "gravely worried" to maintain a professional tone while still conveying the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately anxious" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the intensity of the anxiety experienced by someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desperately anxious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that conveys a strong sense of worry and urgency. It functions as an adverb-adjective combination, effectively emphasizing the intensity of anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts but most commonly found in News & Media. Consider alternatives like "deeply anxious" or "extremely worried" for nuanced expression or to avoid overuse. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended emotional impact and register of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply anxious

Emphasizes the profound level of anxiety.

utterly anxious

Highlights the complete or total feeling of anxiety.

extremely anxious

Indicates a high degree of anxiety.

intensely anxious

Stresses the high level of emotional intensity.

acutely anxious

Implies a sharp and intense experience of anxiety.

worried sick

Informal expression indicating extreme worry.

frantically worried

Suggests a state of panic and worry.

terribly worried

Highlights the severe level of worry.

incredibly anxious

Indicates a very high level of anxiety, bordering on disbelief.

really anxious

A simple and direct way to express a high level of anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "desperately anxious" to describe someone experiencing intense worry or concern, as in: "She was "desperately anxious" about her missing child".

What are some alternatives to saying "desperately anxious"?

Alternatives include "deeply anxious", "extremely worried", or "intensely concerned", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "desperately anxious" formal or informal?

"Desperately anxious" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider your audience. In highly formal writing, you might opt for a more restrained phrase like "gravely concerned".

What's the difference between "desperately anxious" and "slightly anxious"?

"Desperately anxious" conveys a much stronger and more intense level of worry and concern compared to "slightly anxious", which implies a mild level of unease.