lot of nerves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lot of nerves" is not correct in standard written English.
You may be trying to express a feeling of anxiety or apprehension, but the phrase is incomplete and lacks clarity. Example: "I had a lot of nerves before my presentation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A lot of nerves.

The New York Times

"There were a lot of nerves.

The New York Times - Sports

"A lot of nerves," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

I typically have a lot of nerves and jitters.

The New York Times

"There was a lot of nerves going on," Schwinden said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I haven't felt a whole lot of nerves".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

DWIGHT ALLEN has a lot of nerve.

The New York Times - Books

Suddenly, Greg Rusedski had a lot of nerve.

The New York Times - Sports

AD Dangerous, and it takes a lot of nerve, ambition.

The Guardian - Books

They have a lot of nerve charging full price.

The New York Times

"You've got a lot of nerve, to say you are my friend…" And so on.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For greater clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "lot of nerves" with more precise phrases like "a bundle of nerves" or "a great deal of anxiety".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "lot of nerves" alone. It often requires a verb or additional context to fully express the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "I had a lot of nerves", specify "I had a lot of nerves before the presentation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lot of nerves" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a state of anxiety or unease. It often appears as the object of a verb, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples such as "There were a lot of nerves". While commonly used, it lacks grammatical precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lot of nerves" is a very common way to express anxiety or apprehension. However, according to Ludwig, it is grammatically "incorrect". Therefore, it is important to recognize that although widely used, it might be more suitable for informal contexts. When aiming for precision and formality, consider using alternatives like "a great deal of anxiety" or "a bundle of nerves". The phrase is prevalent in news and media, suggesting its accessibility and ease of understanding, but careful consideration should be given to the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bundle of nerves

This alternative intensifies the feeling of nervousness, portraying someone as being extremely anxious.

anxious

A general term for feeling worried, uneasy, or nervous.

great deal of anxiety

This phrase offers a more formal and clinical way to describe the experience of nervousness.

on edge

This describes a state of being nervous and easily agitated.

high strung

This term describes someone who is habitually tense and anxious.

apprehensive

This implies a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

tense

This is a simple and direct way of saying someone is feeling nervous.

jittery

Describes a state of being shaky and nervous.

uneasy

Indicates a feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

butterflies in stomach

This idiom describes the feeling of nervousness, especially before an important event.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "lot of nerves"?

You can use phrases like "a great deal of anxiety", "a bundle of nerves", or simply "anxious" depending on the context.

How can I use "lot of nerves" in a sentence?

While "lot of nerves" is commonly used, it's better to say "I had a lot of nerves" or "There were a lot of nerves" to make the sentence grammatically complete and clear. Consider more precise alternatives like "I felt a great deal of anxiety".

What's the difference between "lot of nerves" and "bundle of nerves"?

"Bundle of nerves" implies a more intense and overwhelming feeling of anxiety compared to "lot of nerves". While both are common, "bundle of nerves" suggests extreme agitation.

Is "lot of nerves" formal or informal?

"Lot of nerves" is considered informal. In formal writing, it's advisable to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "significant anxiety" or "considerable apprehension".