how anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the degree of anxiety someone feels about a situation or event. Example: "I can't believe how anxious I felt before the big presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How anxious did it make them feel?

The New Yorker

How anxious did you feel yesterday?

The New York Times

how anxious did you feel yesterday?

The Guardian

How anxious was she about being late?

The Guardian

I know how anxious people are.

The Guardian

Question: Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?

Independent

I was amazed at how anxious he was.

The New York Times - Food

How anxious are kids about taking standardized tests?

The Washington Post

What struck me was how anxious and defensive he seemed.

The Guardian - Arts

Another surprise was how anxious customers are about getting their delivery after making a purchase.

The New York Times

What is less clear is how anxious Charles Kennedy and his party are to answer them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how anxious", ensure the context clearly indicates what the anxiety is related to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "how anxious" without specifying the cause. Unclear context can leave the reader confused about the source of the anxiety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how anxious" functions primarily as part of an interrogative clause or a dependent clause expressing a degree of anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in asking about or describing someone's state of anxiety in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how anxious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to inquire about or describe the degree of someone's anxiety. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s versatile across various contexts, predominantly appearing in news media, scientific literature, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the cause of anxiety and consider alternatives like "how worried" or "how concerned" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how worried

Focuses more on the cognitive aspect of anxiety, emphasizing concern about potential problems.

how concerned

Implies a sense of care and responsibility in addition to anxiety.

how apprehensive

Suggests a feeling of dread or anticipation of something negative.

how uneasy

Conveys a general feeling of discomfort and anxiety without a specific cause.

how stressed

Highlights the pressure and strain associated with anxiety.

how agitated

Emphasizes the restlessness and irritability that can accompany anxiety.

how fearful

Highlights the fear-related aspects of anxiety, suggesting a strong sense of danger.

how nervous

Implies a state of heightened energy and anticipation, often before a specific event.

the extent of their anxiety

Rephrases the question to focus on the magnitude of their anxiety.

the degree of their worry

Similar to "how worried", but uses "degree" to emphasize measurement or scale.

FAQs

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

You can use "how anxious" to inquire about or describe someone's level of anxiety in a specific situation. For example, "I noticed "how anxious he seemed" before the presentation".

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

"How anxious" generally refers to a state of unease and apprehension, while "how worried" emphasizes concern about specific potential problems. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but "how worried" is more directly tied to a specific cause.

What are some alternatives to "how anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "how nervous", "how concerned", or "how apprehensive" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a question with "how anxious"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a question with "how anxious" when inquiring about someone's anxiety level. For example, "How anxious are you about the upcoming exam?"