he was anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was anxious" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is experiencing feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease. Example: "As he waited for the results of his exam, he was anxious about whether he had studied enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was anxious, distracted.

The New York Times

He was anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

On Thursday, Monson admitted he was anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

He was anxious to empty his pockets.

The Washington Post

He was anxious to leave home for college.

Princeton University

He was anxious not to repeat himself.

The Guardian - Books

What's more, he was anxious about getting it right.

The Economist

He was anxious to get rid of that older generation.

The New Yorker

That he was anxious about it is understandable.

Independent

He was anxious about his friends in New York.

The Guardian

He admitted he was anxious about what he might find.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing anxiety, provide specific details about the cause of the anxiety to give the reader a clearer understanding of the character's emotional state.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "he was anxious". Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to describe the character's feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was anxious" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing an individual's emotional state. It is a common way to express feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was anxious" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe someone experiencing worry or nervousness. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis and examples extracted from a wide range of sources. These examples highlight the phrase's versatility across various registers, from formal academic writing to informal storytelling. While generally appropriate, it's important to use the phrase with context and avoid overuse in close proximity. Alternatives like "he felt worried" or "he seemed apprehensive" can add variety to your writing. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's prevalence in news, academic texts, and even business communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he felt worried

Emphasizes the feeling of worry experienced by the individual.

he appeared nervous

Focuses on the outward appearance of nervousness.

he seemed apprehensive

Highlights a sense of foreboding or unease.

he was concerned

Indicates a state of worry and care.

he was uneasy

Describes a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

he was on edge

Highlights a state of heightened tension and irritability.

he was agitated

Focuses on a state of restlessness and unease.

he was fretful

Emphasizes a state of worry and restlessness.

he was solicitous

Highlights a state of concern and attentiveness.

he was edgy

Indicates a state of nervousness or tension.

FAQs

How can I use "he was anxious" in a sentence?

Use "he was anxious" to describe a state of worry, nervousness, or unease. For example, "He was anxious about the upcoming presentation."

What are some alternatives to "he was anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "he felt worried", "he seemed apprehensive", or "he appeared nervous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was anxious"?

Yes, "he was anxious" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe someone experiencing anxiety.

What's the difference between "he was anxious" and "he was eager"?

"He was anxious" implies worry or nervousness, while "he was eager" suggests enthusiasm and anticipation. They are used in different contexts to convey different emotions.