grew anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety or worry over time. Example: "As the deadline approached, she grew anxious about completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

His relatives grew anxious.

The New York Times

After "Luck" was cancelled, Stevens grew anxious.

The New Yorker

When others received offers, I grew anxious.

The Economist

Anna grew anxious during the debate.

The New York Times

As 6 p.m. loomed, the players grew anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

Doyon hardly had time to celebrate before he grew anxious.

The New Yorker

Even then there was no sign of the bride, and Mr. Millar, in turn, grew anxious.

The New York Times

The kids passed the afternoon watching TV, but they soon grew anxious.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thain was growing anxious.

The New Yorker

Lin grows anxious and then frightened.

The New Yorker

I was growing anxious to go home.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew anxious" to depict a gradual escalation of worry or unease over a period. For instance, "As the deadline approached, the team grew anxious about meeting their targets."

Common error

While "grew anxious" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "became apprehensive" or "developed concerns" in academic or professional contexts to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew anxious" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of becoming more anxious over time. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase describes a gradual increase in feelings of worry or unease, and is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

12%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grew anxious" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety or worry. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is often found in News & Media and Academic contexts, and is appropriate for neutral registers. Consider using alternative phrases such as "became anxious" or "started to worry" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While the phrase is generally acceptable, remember to tailor your word choice to suit the formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Became anxious

Emphasizes a shift into anxiety, suggesting a more immediate change in emotional state than a gradual increase.

Started feeling anxious

Explicitly indicates the commencement of anxious feelings.

Became apprehensive

Similar to "became anxious", but with a stronger sense of anticipating something negative.

Started to worry

Focuses on the onset of worry, which is a component of anxiety, but potentially less intense.

Turned worried

Highlights the transformation into a state of worry.

Got worried

Indicates the beginning of worry in a more informal way.

Developed anxiety

Implies a more prolonged or clinically significant state of anxiety.

Got nervous

Highlights feelings of nervousness as a response to certain situation

Felt uneasy

Suggests a mild sense of discomfort or apprehension, less intense than full-blown anxiety.

Became concerned

Focuses on a state of concern, which may or may not involve anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "grew anxious" to describe a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety or worry over time. For example, "As the storm approached, the villagers "grew anxious" about their safety".

What are some alternatives to saying "grew anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "became anxious", "started to worry", or "felt uneasy" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "grew anxious" or "became anxious"?

"Grew anxious" implies a gradual increase in anxiety, while "became anxious" suggests a more sudden shift. The best choice depends on the specific situation you are describing.

What's the difference between "grew anxious" and "grew worried"?

While both express negative feelings, "grew anxious" often implies a more generalized unease or apprehension, whereas "grew worried" suggests a focus on specific concerns or potential problems.