grow anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But others grow anxious, depressed or angry, sacrifice social and extracurricular activities and miss -- or quit -- school.

The New York Times

Whoever plays will be under instructions not to grow anxious if the lead does not come quickly.

The Guardian - Sport

In the heat of the moment, one fire official said, it is not uncommon for the first responders to grow anxious when a life is on the line.

The New York Times

In a telephone conversation recorded in November, prosecutors say, Michael Turano seemed to grow anxious when a $15,000 payoff did not show up as expected.

The New York Times

In the first act, residents of an all-white neighborhood grow anxious as blacks move in; by the second act, the neighborhood has become predominantly black, and it is the arrival of a white couple that stirs tension.

The New York Times

In her practice and her support groups, Ms. Moscowitz sometimes sees former caregivers grow anxious about their own mortality once the people who seemed to stand between them and it are gone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Thain was growing anxious.

The New Yorker

His relatives grew anxious.

The New York Times

After "Luck" was cancelled, Stevens grew anxious.

The New Yorker

Lin grows anxious and then frightened.

The New Yorker

When others received offers, I grew anxious.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow anxious" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety over time, often in response to a specific situation or event.

Common error

While "grow anxious" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "become apprehensive" or "develop anxiety" in academic or professional writing to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow anxious" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual increase in a feeling of anxiety. As shown in Ludwig, it describes a process of becoming more worried or uneasy over time. Ludwig AI states the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow anxious" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a gradual increase in anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and appears frequently in news and media sources. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "become apprehensive" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts. When using "grow anxious", remember that it describes a process, often in response to a specific trigger or situation. Keep in mind that while it is grammatically acceptable, one may want to opt for "grow nervous", "grow worried", or "grow concerned" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become apprehensive

Replaces "grow" with "become" and "anxious" with a more formal synonym, "apprehensive".

start feeling worried

Uses "start feeling" instead of "grow", shifting the focus to the onset of worry instead of anxiety.

develop anxiety

Replaces "grow anxious" with a phrase focusing on the development of anxiety as a state.

become concerned

Substitutes "anxious" with "concerned", indicating a milder form of worry.

get worried

Uses "get" instead of "grow", suggesting a more immediate reaction of worry.

begin to fret

Replaces "grow anxious" with "begin to fret", implying a more agitated state of worry.

turn uneasy

Uses "turn" instead of "grow", suggesting a change in emotional state to unease.

feel stressed

Substitutes "anxious" with "stressed", indicating a feeling of pressure and tension.

lose composure

Replaces "grow anxious" with a phrase that indicates a loss of calmness and control.

descend into panic

Uses "descend into panic" instead of "grow anxious", implying a stronger and more overwhelming emotional response.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow anxious" to describe a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety. For example: "As the deadline approached, I began to "grow anxious" about completing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "grow anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "become apprehensive", "start feeling worried", or "develop anxiety" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "grow anxious" or "become anxious"?

Both "grow anxious" and "become anxious" are correct and widely used. "Become anxious" might be considered slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "grow anxious" and "grow worried"?

"Grow anxious" generally implies a more intense and persistent feeling of unease compared to "grow worried", which can refer to a more specific or fleeting concern.