nervous expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nervous expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of anxious anticipation about an upcoming event or situation. Example: "As the day of the exam approached, she was filled with nervous expectation, wondering how she would perform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And there's a lot of nervous expectation about Norah's next record.

The New York Times - Arts

It wasn't the wretched weather bringing everyone down – howling winds and stormy skies had blighted the previous few days – but the air of nervous expectation.

The Guardian

As with most first rehearsals, usually spent on a simple read-through of the script, the mood was one of nervous expectation.

The New York Times

The White House has come under increasing political and market pressure to disclose how it intends to manage the program, and there is nervous expectation on Capitol Hill that the administration will need to spend more than $350 billion.

The New York Times

Their mood was of nervous expectation, after Mr Acebes conceded that as many as three suspected terrorists might have escaped, possibly with explosives, before the police had managed to cordon off the area.Security has been ramped up everywhere.

The Economist

Though O'Neill said, "the crowd will get behind us" and called for a repeat of the atmosphere generated during last month's victory against Germany, the likelihood is that if the game remains goalless the mood will increasingly become one of nervous expectation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I came to Botswana with a lot of nervous expectations that included some large hopes of having an immediate impact.

Huffington Post

She had been favored to win the 1,000 meters in speed skating at the Nagano Games, only to grow nervous from expectation.

The New York Times - Sports

Moreover, the approach of the Federal Reserves rate-setting meeting Tuesday is making many investors nervous as expectations of another rate cut begin to erode.

Forbes

I wasn't in the least bit nervous, and my expectations were realistic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For happily the Government of the United States... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance... .. To the delegates of countries nervous about Americans' expectations of ever-progressing democracy in the aftermath of last year's Arab Spring, President Obama was echoing, in so many words, what Washington declaimed when he called for respect for every religion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "nervous expectation", consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone. It is best suited for situations where both excitement and apprehension are palpable.

Common error

While "nervous expectation" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in excessively casual situations where simpler phrases like "anticipation" or "excitement" might suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or overwrought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nervous expectation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "nervous" modifies the noun "expectation". According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable and accurate in written English. It describes a state of anticipation that is mixed with anxiety or unease. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe the atmosphere before an event or the feelings of individuals awaiting an outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nervous expectation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys a blend of anticipation and anxiety. According to Ludwig, it accurately describes a state of anxious anticipation, supported by examples predominantly from news and media sources. While not exceptionally common, it is a valuable tool for precisely capturing emotional nuances in descriptive writing. It’s best suited for situations where both excitement and apprehension are present and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious anticipation

Focuses more on the anxiety aspect, reducing the sense of positive expectation.

eager apprehension

Emphasizes eagerness alongside the feeling of something unpleasant might happen.

excited unease

Highlights the conflicting emotions of excitement and unease.

apprehensive anticipation

Stresses the feeling that something bad or unpleasant might happen.

tense expectancy

Highlights the tension and suspense associated with waiting.

uneasy eagerness

Shows a sense of impatience blended with discomfort or anxiety.

worried anticipation

Underscores the worry involved when waiting for something to happen.

restless anticipation

Indicates an inability to relax or stay still while waiting.

anxious eagerness

Mixes concern with the desire for something to occur or begin.

trepidatious anticipation

Emphasizes a feeling of fear or agitation about something that might happen.

FAQs

How can I use "nervous expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "nervous expectation" to describe a state of anxious anticipation. For instance, "There was a palpable air of "nervous expectation" before the test results were announced".

What's a simpler alternative to "nervous expectation"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "anxious anticipation" or "eager apprehension" for similar meaning but different emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "nervous expectation"?

"Nervous expectation" is appropriate when you want to convey both the excitement and the anxiety associated with waiting for an event or outcome. It fits well in formal writing or when describing significant events.

What's the difference between "nervous expectation" and "excited anticipation"?

"Nervous expectation" includes a sense of anxiety or worry, whereas "excited anticipation" focuses more on the positive feelings and eagerness, without necessarily implying nervousness.