he was panicking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was panicking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is experiencing a state of anxiety or distress, often in a sudden or overwhelming manner. Example: "As the deadline approached, he was panicking about whether he would finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He was panicking.

The New Yorker

He was panicking and he was screaming in Russian".

The New York Times

He put the handbrake on, it was late at night, he was panicking, didn't know what to do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was then that Constable Harwood, who told the inquest that he was panicking at the mounting violence and who had already had several altercations with people in the crowd, ran forward.

The New York Times

Outwardly confident, he was panicking: he had fired his piano player for clowning around on the bandstand, and Duncan was sitting in that seat, although he wasn't really a pianist.

The New York Times - Arts

This may have suited Cameron when he was panicking about losing the last election – and let us not forget that it was concern about the electoral threat from Ukip that induced him to commit to a referendum in the first place.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He was panicked.

The New York Times

Godard sensed that his chance to make films had arrived, and he was panicked that he would lose it.

The New Yorker

I said to my son – he is a Down's syndrome special-needs child : 'You have to run.' He said: 'My leg hurts.' I think he was panicked.

The Guardian

Announcing he would be prepared to back a private members' bill, the prime minister – speaking from Boston – denied he was panicked into rushing forward the measure.

The Guardian

Though he was panicked, Joseph Jackson said he tried to think positively.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was panicking" to clearly and directly describe a state of anxiety or distress that someone is actively experiencing in a specific situation.

Common error

While "he was panicking" is correct, avoid overuse by using synonyms to create richer descriptions. Instead of saying, "He was panicking when he saw the fire; he was panicking when he couldn't find his keys; he was panicking when the deadline approached", vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was panicking" functions as a verbal phrase describing an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples show its use to depict someone experiencing anxiety or distress. The auxiliary verb "was" indicates past tense, and the participle "panicking" denotes the continuous nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was panicking" is a grammatically sound and common way to describe someone's state of heightened anxiety, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase effectively portrays a character's emotional response to stressful situations. While perfectly acceptable, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "he was in a panic" or "he became frantic" can enrich your writing. Remember, clear and direct language, as with "he was panicking", remains vital for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was in a panic

Replaces the verb "panicking" with the noun "panic", focusing on the state rather than the action.

he became frantic

Suggests a more intense and uncontrolled state of panic.

he became distressed

Emphasizes the emotional suffering and discomfort experienced.

he was freaking out

A more colloquial term that indicates a high level of agitation and panic.

he grew anxious

Indicates a milder form of worry and unease compared to panicking.

he was losing it

An informal way to describe someone who is becoming overwhelmed and unable to cope.

he lost his composure

Focuses on the loss of self-control due to stress or fear.

he was beside himself

Implies extreme agitation and emotional distress.

he was overwhelmed

Indicates feeling burdened and unable to manage the situation.

he showed signs of anxiety

Highlights the observable indicators of an underlying anxious state.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "he was panicking"?

Some synonyms include "he was in a panic", "he became frantic", or "he was losing it", depending on the level of intensity you want to convey.

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

You can use "he was panicking" to describe someone experiencing sudden anxiety or distress. For example: "As the deadline approached, he was panicking about finishing the project on time."

Is "he was panicking" formal or informal?

"He was panicking" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "he became distressed".

What's the difference between "he was panicking" and "he was panicked"?

"He was panicking" describes an ongoing state of being in the process of panicking. "He was panicked" describes a state of being overwhelmed by panic; he may have been frozen by the feeling.