nerve wracking

USAGE SUMMARY

"nerve wracking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a situation that is very stressful. For example, "Waiting for the exam results was a nerve wracking experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It is more than nerve wracking".

The New York Times

Job interviews are always nerve wracking.

The Guardian

"It is nerve wracking at this time.

BBC

GK: It was extremely nerve wracking.

Forbes

"It's nerve wracking," Joy said.

The New York Times

He has had a nerve wracking time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's the Macbeth that's nerve- wracking.

The Guardian

It was that nerve-wracking.

The Guardian - Sport

How nerve-wracking was it?

The Guardian

Talk about nerve-wracking.

Huffington Post

It's a little nerve-wracking.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nerve wracking" to describe situations that cause significant anxiety or stress, especially when anticipating an outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "nerve wracking" to describe physical pain or discomfort. This phrase is best suited for expressing emotional or mental stress, not physical sensations.

Linguistic Context

Nerve wracking primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to describe situations or experiences that induce anxiety or stress. This is evidenced by Ludwig examples such as "It is nerve wracking at this time" and "Job interviews are always nerve wracking".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nerve wracking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to describe situations that cause significant anxiety or stress. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely frequent, it's well-understood and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. When using "nerve wracking", ensure it aligns with situations causing genuine anxiety rather than physical discomfort. Consider alternatives like "stressful" or "anxiety-inducing" for different nuances. Overall, it's a reliable and effective way to communicate feelings of tension and anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stressful

Focuses on the stress-inducing aspect, omitting the direct sensation of nerves.

anxiety-inducing

Highlights the anxiety caused by a situation, similar to "nerve wracking" but more clinical.

unnerving

Emphasizes the feeling of losing composure or confidence, sharing the negative emotional impact.

tense

Describes the atmosphere or feeling as tight and strained, less focused on individual nerves.

fraught with anxiety

More formal and emphasizes the presence of anxiety within a situation.

hair-raising

Conveys a sense of excitement mixed with fear or nervousness, adding a thrilling element.

agonizing

Highlights the painful or distressing nature of the experience, focusing on suffering.

exasperating

Focuses on the frustrating and irritating nature of a situation, shifting away from nervousness.

challenging

Highlights the difficulty of a task, reducing the emphasis on the emotional response of anxiety.

daunting

Emphasizes the intimidating aspect, shifting the focus from personal nerves to external pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "nerve wracking" in a sentence?

You can use "nerve wracking" to describe situations that cause anxiety or stress, such as "Waiting for the exam results was a nerve wracking experience" or "Giving a speech in front of a large audience can be nerve wracking".

What's a less intense alternative to "nerve wracking"?

If you want to express a milder form of anxiety, you could use words like "stressful" or "challenging", depending on the context.

Is "nerve wracking" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "nerve wracking" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing. However, for very formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "anxiety-inducing" or "fraught with anxiety".

What is the difference between "nerve wracking" and "unnerving"?

"Nerve wracking" describes a situation causing anxiety, while "unnerving" refers to something that makes you feel disturbed or lose your composure. A nerve wracking situation might be waiting for test results, while an unnerving experience could be encountering something unexpected and unsettling.