nervously anticipating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nervously anticipating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a feeling of anxiety or excitement about something that is about to happen. Example: "She was nervously anticipating the results of her job interview, unsure of what to expect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

My alarm set for 6am, I slept, nervously anticipating my first day.

The Guardian

Already, game developers and executives routinely talk about trying to create a prerelease buzz for their games and then nervously anticipating the first round of reviews, just like Hollywood studio executives.

The New York Times - Tech

The museum experience is shifting in our digital age, and it's hard to say who is leading the vanguard: the visitors wanting something more than a stuffy salon, or the curators nervously anticipating public fancies.

The New Yorker

When you have a meeting with Cathy, she's so professional, but she's so supportive that you leave the meeting feeling that you're her favorite artist". Ms. Hassabi is one of many in the dance world who are nervously anticipating Ms. Edwards's replacement.

The New York Times - Arts

Bradbury himself deplored and disowned this application of his story, and the producers of the television serial, as if nervously anticipating such a reaction, appended a footnote to the credits at the end of the last episode: "Howard Kirk voted Conservative in the General Election of 1979", though this seems highly improbable.

The Guardian - Books

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 — Business lobbyists, nervously anticipating Democratic gains in next year's elections, are racing to secure final approval for a wide range of health, safety, labor and economic rules, in the belief that they can get better deals from the Bush administration than from its successor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The refurbishment was both keenly and nervously anticipated.

The New York Times - Arts

Political strategists in Boston and Chicago — where the two campaigns have their headquarters — nervously anticipated the impact of the report each month.

The New York Times

Players can often be seen with wide eyes or shaking shoulders during the anthem as they nervously anticipate the start of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

For if there is a legendary classical performer whose appearances are more enthusiastically but more nervously anticipated these days than Martha Argerich, it is hard to think of one.

The Guardian - Music

Investors nervously anticipated U.S. nonfarm payrolls data due later Friday.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nervously anticipating" to convey a blend of excitement and anxiety about an upcoming event. Ensure the context warrants both emotions for the phrase to be effective.

Common error

While acceptable, "nervously anticipating" may sound less polished in very formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "awaiting with apprehension" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nervously anticipating" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb, describing the manner in which someone is anticipating something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples show its use in describing feelings before events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nervously anticipating" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a mixture of excitement and anxiety about a future event. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is uncommon, and it's best suited for neutral contexts. It's important to consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing between this phrase and alternatives like "anxiously awaiting" or "eagerly anticipating". The phrase appears most often in news and media sources, demonstrating its broad applicability in describing emotional states related to upcoming events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervously awaiting

Similar but replaces "anticipating" with "awaiting", slightly less formal.

uneasily awaiting

Emphasizes a lack of comfort or peace while waiting.

anxiously awaiting

Focuses more on the anxiety aspect, less on the anticipation itself.

expecting with anxiety

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the anxiety.

apprehensively expecting

Highlights a sense of dread or worry regarding the expected event.

worryingly expecting

Highlights the worrying aspect of the expectation.

eagerly dreading

Combines eagerness and dread, suggesting mixed feelings.

with trepidation

More formal and highlights fear or apprehension.

on tenterhooks

Idiomatic expression indicating a state of suspense and anxiety.

in suspense

General term for being in a state of uncertainty and excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "nervously anticipating" in a sentence?

You can use "nervously anticipating" to describe a feeling of anxiety or excitement about something that is about to happen. For example: "She was "nervously anticipating" the results of her job interview, unsure of what to expect."

What are some alternatives to "nervously anticipating"?

You can use alternatives like "anxiously awaiting", "apprehensively expecting", or "uneasily awaiting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "nervously anticipating"?

While grammatically correct, "nervously anticipating" might not be suitable for extremely formal or technical contexts. In such cases, consider using a more sophisticated alternative.

What's the difference between "nervously anticipating" and "eagerly anticipating"?

"Nervously anticipating" implies a mix of excitement and anxiety, while "eagerly anticipating" suggests primarily positive excitement and enthusiasm.