nervous for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nervous for him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing concern or anxiety about someone else's situation or feelings. Example: "I was really nervous for him before his big presentation, hoping everything would go well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In the end, I was so nervous for him I probably needed the pills more than he did.

The Guardian

I get too nervous for him.

The New Yorker

She said she was nervous for him.

The New York Times - Sports

They seemed every bit as nervous for him as he must have felt himself.

The Guardian - Sport

"Anytime you see a player, any player, go down like that, you're nervous for him.

The New York Times

"I get nervous for him, no question," Manuel said before the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

So I'm nervous waiting for him to arrive at Bibendum Oyster Bar in South Kensington.

The Guardian

"At first I was very nervous for her," she said.

The New York Times

"I'm nervous for them," Goulding told me.

The New Yorker

When he amusedly quotes a musician who was nervous about auditioning for him — "Clive was just sort of the name that you hear, like Moses" — he isn't being unduly immodest.

The New York Times - Books

But, having said that, whatever race scenario I tried to imagine would unfold, I just couldn't see Mo getting beaten, which meant I wasn't nervous at all for him.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nervous for him", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are experiencing anxiety on behalf of someone else, not simply stating that he is nervous.

Common error

Avoid using "nervous for him" when you mean he is nervous himself. Instead, reserve it for expressing your own anxiety about his situation. For example, say "He is nervous" rather than "I'm nervous for him" if you are describing his feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nervous for him" functions as an expression of empathy and concern, indicating that the speaker is experiencing anxiety on behalf of another person. Ludwig examples show this in various contexts such as sporting events, performances, and personal situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nervous for him" is a grammatically sound way to express anxiety or concern about someone else's situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is common and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys empathy and support. While synonyms such as ""worried about him"" or "concerned about him" offer similar sentiments, "nervous for him" distinctly highlights a specific type of anxiety experienced on behalf of another person. Remember to use the phrase when expressing your own feelings of nervousness about someone else, and not to describe their own state of being. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerned for him

Highlights a feeling of concern and care about his welfare.

worried about him

Emphasizes a sense of worry and apprehension regarding his situation.

distressed for him

Indicates a state of great suffering or worry experienced on his behalf.

anxious about him

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety directed toward the person, rather than a specific event.

apprehensive for him

Suggests a feeling of unease or dread regarding what might happen to him.

tense for him

Captures the feeling of being stressed or strained because of him.

on edge for him

Expresses a state of heightened alertness and anxiety on his behalf.

agitated for him

Conveys a state of restlessness and worry due to concerns about him.

solicitous about him

Implies a caring and attentive concern for his well-being.

in suspense for him

Highlights the feeling of waiting anxiously for a resolution related to him.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "nervous for him"?

Being "nervous for him" means you are feeling anxious or worried about someone else's situation, well-being, or upcoming event in their life. It indicates empathy and concern.

How can I use "nervous for him" in a sentence?

You might say, "I was really "worried about him" before his surgery, I was so "nervous for him"." This shows you were anxious about what he was going through.

Is it correct to say "I'm nervous for him"?

Yes, it is correct. It clearly communicates that you are experiencing anxiety or concern regarding someone else. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct English.

What are some alternatives to saying "nervous for him"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could say "concerned about him", ""worried about him"", or "anxious about him". Each carries a slightly different shade of meaning.