nervous about something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nervous about something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing feelings of anxiety or apprehension regarding a specific situation or event. Example: "She felt nervous about the upcoming presentation, unsure if she was prepared enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Anybody would be nervous about something like that," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I said, 'David, I'm a little nervous about something.

The New Yorker

But it does show that traders are nervous about something and trading more often.

Independent

It was a mixture of being very, very excited and, at the same time, nervous about something going wrong.

The New York Times

I learned early in my career that if you're nervous about something, you need to feel the fear and do it anyway.

The New York Times

She kept her eye discreetly trained on him, trying to detect a change, any indication at all that he might be nervous about something.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"To the degree it impacts the C.E.O., that is something we are nervous about," said A. M. Sacconaghi, an analyst who tracks Hewlett-Packard for Sanford C. Bernstein & Company.

The New York Times - Tech

If something is important enough to be nervous about, then it's important enough to rehearse repeatedly.

Huffington Post

It's normal to be nervous when you go talk to a lawyer, especially about something as personal as divorce.

Huffington Post

"Eyesight is something that as a photographer I'm very nervous about," Rankin said.

Independent

She said she was nervous about getting something wrong amid all the jargon in government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nervous about something", be specific about the source of your nervousness to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "nervous about something" interchangeably with clinical anxiety. While nervousness is often situational, anxiety is a more persistent and pervasive condition that may require professional help. If you are concerned about a persistent condition, please seek help from a doctor or therapist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nervous about something" functions as an adjective phrase describing a state of apprehension or anxiety. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is a common way to express concern related to a specific cause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nervous about something" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to express feelings of apprehension or anxiety related to a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. While it's versatile, it's important to distinguish it from clinical anxiety and to be specific about the source of your nervousness for clarity. Alternatives like "anxious regarding something" or "apprehensive concerning something" can be used for nuanced expression. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as wiki-based content, reflecting its widespread use in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious regarding something

Replaces "nervous" with "anxious," suggesting a deeper level of worry.

apprehensive concerning something

Substitutes "nervous" with "apprehensive," implying a more formal tone and anticipation of potential issues.

worried about a particular thing

Uses "worried" instead of "nervous," conveying a sense of concern and unease.

concerned about an issue

Replaces "nervous" with "concerned", suggesting a focus on problem-solving rather than emotional state.

uneasy regarding a situation

Employs "uneasy" instead of "nervous", indicating a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

on edge about a matter

Replaces "nervous" with "on edge", conveying heightened sensitivity and anticipation.

in a state of agitation regarding something

Expresses a heightened state of emotional disturbance using more formal language.

perturbed by a detail

Indicates a feeling of anxiety caused by a specific, often minor, element.

fretting over a specific detail

Uses "fretting" to show a persistent and perhaps excessive state of worry.

disturbed concerning an element

Indicates a more profound feeling of discomfort or unsettlement.

FAQs

What does "nervous about something" mean?

The phrase "nervous about something" indicates a state of unease, apprehension, or anxiety related to a particular situation, event, or object. It suggests a feeling of worry or concern about potential negative outcomes.

How can I use "nervous about something" in a sentence?

You can use "nervous about something" to express your feelings regarding a specific concern. For instance: "I'm really nervous about my job interview next week," or "She was nervous about the upcoming performance."

What are some alternatives to "nervous about something"?

You can use alternatives like "anxious regarding something", "apprehensive concerning something", or "worried about a particular thing" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "nervous for something" instead of "nervous about something"?

While "nervous for someone" can express concern for another person's well-being, "nervous about something" is more appropriate when referring to your own apprehension or anxiety regarding a specific event or situation. Using "nervous for something" is grammatically incorrect.