feeling anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a state of worry or unease that someone is experiencing. Example: "She was feeling anxious about the upcoming exam and couldn't concentrate on her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They make the onlooker feel contemporary without feeling anxious.

The Guardian - Arts

A child is more likely to cry if he feels hungry in addition to feeling anxious.

WikiHow

And Macedonians are feeling anxious".

The New York Times

You're feeling anxious about going into work.

Independent

Many of the caregivers report feeling anxious, depressed or exhausted.

The New York Times

A lot of you are feeling anxious about your future.

The New Yorker

Indians are still feeling anxious and insufficiently loved.

The New York Times

Both described feeling anxious ahead of his arrival.

The New York Times

I don't remember feeling anxious, hopeful or expectant.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why should I blame myself for feeling anxious?

The Guardian - Opinion

The Qatari football association may well be feeling anxious tonight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, be specific about the source of the anxiety to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling anxious" to describe minor inconveniences; reserve it for situations involving genuine worry or unease, not just typical stress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling anxious" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a subject to indicate their emotional state. As Ludwig indicates, it describes worry or unease. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use to convey temporary or persistent emotional conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

The Guardian - Books

1%

L'Encéphale

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling anxious" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express a state of worry or unease. According to Ludwig, it accurately describes temporary or persistent emotional conditions. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, indicating its broad applicability. When using the phrase, consider specifying the cause of the anxiety for clarity and avoid using it for minor stress. Alternatives include ""experiencing anxiety"" or ""feeling worried"", each with slightly different connotations. Ludwig's examples provide a rich understanding of its contextual usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing anxiety

More formal and clinical.

having anxiety

Focuses more on the condition rather than the immediate feeling.

feeling worried

Implies a lighter sense of concern compared to anxiety.

feeling nervous

Suggests apprehension, often before a specific event.

feeling apprehensive

Highlights anticipation of something unpleasant.

feeling uneasy

Implies a lack of comfort or security.

feeling stressed

Focuses on the pressure and strain experienced.

in a state of anxiety

More formal and emphasizes the duration of the feeling.

overcome by anxiety

Indicates a strong and overwhelming feeling of anxiety.

consumed by worry

Emphasizes that worry is dominating one's thoughts and feelings.

FAQs

How to use "feeling anxious" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling anxious" to describe a state of worry or unease, such as "She was feeling anxious about the upcoming presentation" or "Many students are "feeling nervous" before exams".

What can I say instead of "feeling anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling worried", "feeling nervous", or "experiencing anxiety" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "feeling anxious" or "feeling anxiety"?

"Feeling anxious" is correct because "anxious" is an adjective describing the feeling. "Feeling anxiety" is less common; it's more appropriate to say you are "experiencing anxiety".

What's the difference between "feeling anxious" and "feeling apprehensive"?

"Feeling anxious" is a general state of worry or unease, while "feeling apprehensive" suggests a specific anticipation of something unpleasant. Apprehension often has a more defined cause.