touch of anxiety

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch of anxiety" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or mild feeling of worry or unease about something. Example: "As the deadline approached, she felt a touch of anxiety about completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

After a touch of anxiety, Ms. Goldstein laughed it off.

The New York Times

Self-reflection, and a touch of anxiety, mark the mood.

The New York Times

A few weeks ago, the losing got to Goring, setting off an uncharacteristic touch of anxiety.

The New York Times - Sports

She welcomed me with great warmth, but also a touch of anxiety, which seemed to hover throughout the visit.

The New Yorker

There's a touch of anxiety about this: being in Japan allowed him to get on with the job of writing.

Independent

But as the focus shifted to the jurors, there were clear signs that the panel was taking its responsibilities soberly, with a touch of anxiety.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

His songs hint at memories of Beatles ballads, with some latter-day touches of anxiety and disorientation.

The New York Times

So, each party witnesses the other's maximalist dreams, which touch nerves of anxiety and suspicion.

The New York Times

The play seems to have at least a touch of maternal anxiety at its heart.

The Guardian

At a ruck near the line they seemed to lose control of the ball, a touch of try-anxiety close to the score that might transform their season.

The Guardian - Sport

What are you doing for us?" The growing activism of the black union, known as Cosatu, has touched off waves of anxiety within the African National Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch of anxiety" to subtly convey a feeling of worry without being overly dramatic. It's suitable for describing a mild level of concern in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "touch of anxiety" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "intense anxiety" or "panic". The phrase implies a mild, manageable feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch of anxiety" functions as a noun phrase that describes a mild or slight feeling of worry, unease, or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "touch of anxiety" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, denoting a mild feeling of worry or unease. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across varied contexts. While not extremely frequent, it appears predominantly in news and media sources. Alternatives like "hint of anxiety" or "tinge of anxiety" can be used to express a similar sentiment with slightly different nuances. It's important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the level of concern matches the described situation and avoiding exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of anxiety

Replaces "touch" with "hint", suggesting a slightly smaller degree of anxiety.

tinge of anxiety

Substitutes "touch" with "tinge", implying a faint trace of anxiety.

shade of anxiety

Uses "shade" instead of "touch", indicating a subtle presence of anxiety.

element of anxiety

Replaces "touch" with "element", framing anxiety as a component of a situation.

degree of anxiety

Substitutes "touch" with "degree", focusing on the extent of the anxiety.

sense of apprehension

Replaces "anxiety" with "apprehension", shifting the focus to anticipated fear.

feeling of unease

Uses "unease" instead of "anxiety", providing a more general term for discomfort.

mild worry

Simplifies the phrase by using "mild worry" instead of "touch of anxiety".

slight concern

Replaces "anxiety" with "concern", indicating a lighter level of worry.

trace of apprehension

Combines "trace" and "apprehension" to emphasize a minimal level of anticipated fear.

FAQs

How can I use "touch of anxiety" in a sentence?

You can use "touch of anxiety" to describe a mild feeling of worry or unease. For example, "As the deadline approached, she felt a touch of anxiety about completing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "touch of anxiety"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of anxiety", "tinge of anxiety", or "shade of anxiety" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "touch of anxiety" in formal writing?

Yes, "touch of anxiety" is generally appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, a more precise term might be preferable.

What's the difference between "touch of anxiety" and "anxiety attack"?

"Touch of anxiety" refers to a mild feeling of worry or unease, while "anxiety attack" describes a sudden episode of intense fear or panic. The former is less severe and more manageable than the latter.