quietly excited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'quietly excited' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase which means feeling excited but not showing it outwardly. For example: Despite his exterior calm, I could tell he was quietly excited about the news.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"But I'm also quietly excited," he adds.

Independent

I've never been there before but I'm quietly excited.

Independent

As a fan of old space station simulators, I'm quietly excited by this.

The Guardian - Tech

He is also quietly excited to announce he is playing the lead in People, Places and Things, James Strouse's new film about a graphic novelist.

The Guardian - Film

iPhone Book publishers are quietly excited about the idea of selling e-books direct to their readers, although it's early days for this kind of business model.

The Guardian - Tech

McGuire, looking quietly excited and thinking about the future of "Here," said that he was hoping to have lunch with a friend who was working with virtual-reality technology.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The chef, Troy Dupuy, is assured and precise, offering carefully calibrated dishes that quietly excite.

The New York Times

And now tech and startup geeks have a new feature to get excited about: Turntable quietly announced via blog post today that users can add stickers from their startup of choice to their laptops while dropping those mad ill beats.

TechCrunch

"I guess my personality is that I get excited on stage," he says quietly.

The Guardian

She wrote six science books for children and spent twenty years quietly campaigning to get kids, especially girls, excited about science and technology.

The New Yorker

She imagines him quietly retired to a villa near Sydenham Park, excited, not embarrassed, as a flurry of fossil discoveries point up the inaccuracies of his monumental creations.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quietly excited" to convey a sense of subdued enthusiasm, where the excitement is felt internally but not overtly expressed. It works well when describing characters in literature or personal feelings that are kept private.

Common error

Avoid using "quietly excited" too frequently in character dialogue, as it can sound unnatural. Show, don't tell. Use actions, expressions, or inner thoughts to convey the character's restrained excitement instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quietly excited" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which someone experiences excitement. It modifies the adjective "excited", indicating a restrained or subdued expression of enthusiasm. According to Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quietly excited" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of subdued enthusiasm, often felt internally rather than outwardly expressed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples primarily from news and media sources. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts where restrained emotion is relevant. When writing, consider using synonyms to avoid repetition and ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended level of enthusiasm. While the phrase is usable, be mindful to use it appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secretly thrilled

Focuses on the internal experience of excitement being concealed.

inwardly delighted

Highlights the internal feeling of pleasure and excitement.

subtly elated

Emphasizes the understated nature of the excitement.

mildly enthusiastic

Indicates a lower degree of excitement, suggesting gentle enthusiasm.

contained eagerness

Highlights the control over one's excitement and anticipation.

softly anticipatory

Shifts the focus to anticipation, experienced in a gentle way.

discreetly pleased

Implies a reserved expression of pleasure, similar to excitement.

calmly anticipating

Suggests a composed demeanor while looking forward to something.

restrained anticipation

Focuses on keeping anticipation under control, similar to muted excitement.

silently anticipating

Focuses on the silence in the anticipation

FAQs

What does "quietly excited" mean?

The phrase "quietly excited" describes a state of feeling enthusiastic or eager about something while not outwardly displaying those emotions. It suggests a subdued or internal experience of excitement.

How can I use "quietly excited" in a sentence?

You might say, "She was "quietly excited" about the upcoming trip, even though she didn't show it."

What are some alternatives to "quietly excited"?

You can use alternatives like "secretly thrilled", "inwardly delighted", or "mildly enthusiastic depending on the specific context.

Is it ever better to show excitement rather than being "quietly excited"?

Whether to express excitement openly or keep it subdued depends on the situation. Public speaking usually benefits from showing enthusiasm while in formal or solemn settings, restrained behavior is more appropriate.