nervousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nervousness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of anxiety or unease. For example, "The nervousness I felt before taking the test was overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

María, a well-dressed middle-aged lady who spoke freely once assured of anonymity, also described considerable nervousness at the "peaceful end of the business".

The Guardian

"I'm going back to the Sunday show in September and will see how it goes," he says, with only a hint of nervousness about the risks involved.

The Guardian

There was understandable nervousness on occasions but her nerve held on military matters and diplomatic negotiations.

The Guardian

Third, factor in the party's nervousness engendered by Miliband's poor poll ratings.

The Guardian

Faced with such embarrassing cosiness (Lawrence Freedman plumbed the lowest depths), the former prime minister quickly overcame his initial nervousness.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is naturally a nervousness about Demin's intentions now his investment has paid off and we are, by default, one of the world's richest clubs, having joined the £120m club – especially as plans to expand our 12,000-seater stadium have been deferred.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in Britain we must stop framing EU and eurozone events through our domestic nervousness about the European project.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the results also showed that Labour had underperformed against poll predictions, a result that will add to existing nervousness in the Labour party about the quality of Ed Miliband's leadership.

The Guardian

People involved in drafting the bill said there was nervousness about including more victim-friendly measures, because of the residual public confusion over victims of trafficking and immigrants.

The Guardian

Then I discovered that the nervousness that crippled me at cocktail parties and the financial pressure I felt knowing I'd spent too much money on holiday gifts dissolved in my in my vodka seltzer (easy on the seltzer).

The Guardian - Opinion

On the day of the performance, he sensed their nervousness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "nervousness", consider the specific context and choose synonyms to convey nuances. For example, use "apprehension" when anticipating something negative, or "jitters" to describe pre-event anxiety.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "nervousness" for all situations involving unease. Vary your vocabulary with more specific terms like "anxiety" or "trepidation" to provide a clearer and more descriptive portrayal of the emotion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nervousness" is as a noun, referring to the state or quality of being nervous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it describing a general feeling or a quality observed in a specific context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "nervousness" is a versatile noun used to describe a state of anxiety or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. The analysis of example sentences reveals that "nervousness" is commonly found in news and media, formal business communication, and scientific writing. To enhance writing precision, consider using synonyms like "anxiety" or "apprehension" to convey nuanced meanings. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and suitable register, writers can effectively use "nervousness" to articulate feelings and sentiments in diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxiety

Focuses more on the psychological and emotional distress associated with worry and fear.

apprehension

Emphasizes anticipation of future trouble or misfortune.

unease

Highlights a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

agitation

Suggests physical restlessness and emotional disturbance.

disquiet

Indicates a feeling of worry or anxiety.

jitters

Refers to a feeling of extreme nervousness, especially before an event.

trepidation

Implies fear or anxiety about something that might happen.

concern

Highlights worry about a specific issue or situation.

worries

Emphasizes the act of being concerned or anxious.

angst

Implies a deep-seated anxiety or dread, often of an existential nature.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "nervousness"?

You can use alternatives like "anxiety", "apprehension", or "unease" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "nervousness" in a sentence?

You can use "nervousness" to describe a state of anxiety or unease. For example, "Her "nervousness" was evident before the presentation" or "The market's "nervousness" increased after the announcement".

Is "nervousness" a feeling?

"Nervousness" is indeed a feeling, specifically a state of being anxious, uneasy, or apprehensive. It's often associated with uncertainty or anticipation of a challenging situation.

Which is correct, "nervousness" or "nervous"?

"Nervous" is an adjective describing someone experiencing "nervousness", which is a noun referring to the state or quality of being nervous. For example, "She was nervous" (adjective) versus "She felt a sense of "nervousness"" (noun).