unduly anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is excessively or unnecessarily worried about something. Example: "She was unduly anxious about the outcome of the interview, even though she was well-prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

(He clearly isn't unduly anxious about breaking the anti-smoking laws, either).

The Guardian - Books

Dr. Cohen says that although he understands the fear of Alzheimer's, many people are unduly anxious about it.

The New York Times - Tech

When the day inevitably arrives that things go poorly — when a first grader becomes unduly anxious about his work, when a fourth grader cries because she is bested by a classmate — parents and schools will regret having painted themselves into the corner of wondering what went wrong.

The New York Times

Another thought he was unduly anxious about his health and thought maybe he should take an anti-anxiety pill.

Huffington Post

Only a minority felt that they would be unduly anxious after receiving ICI.

British Journal of Cancer

GPs related a concern for women who would be made unduly anxious about the possibility of foetal abnormality.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The couple were anxious, but not unduly so.

The Guardian

Reflecting, as it does, the portion of America that is hypersensitive & anxious - the maniac group that is either unduly elated or unduly depressed - the market runs a perverse & miserable course in juxtaposition to the American dream.

The New Yorker

Unduly targeted?

The New Yorker

That looks unduly pessimistic.

The Economist

Some say unduly so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unduly anxious" to convey that someone's worry is excessive or not justified by the situation. It adds a nuance of judgment, suggesting the anxiety is perhaps unwarranted.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "unduly anxious" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "too worried" or "really anxious" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly anxious" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun or pronoun, typically to describe a person's state of mind. As stated by Ludwig AI, it indicates a level of worry that is excessive or unwarranted. It adds a layer of judgment suggesting the anxiety exceeds what is justified by the situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unduly anxious" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of excessive or unwarranted worry. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is acceptable in written English and is often seen as indicating worry beyond what is reasonable or necessary. While found in both News & Media and Science sources, its use can add nuance to writing by suggesting that the level of anxiety is not justified by the situation. Be mindful of the register when using "unduly anxious", as it may sound overly formal in casual settings. Instead, consider using simpler alternatives like "too worried" or "really anxious" to maintain a natural tone. By understanding both its function and the contexts in which it is commonly used, you can effectively incorporate "unduly anxious" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively worried

Replaces "unduly anxious" with a more direct and common synonym for excessive worry.

overly concerned

Substitutes "anxious" with "concerned" and "unduly" with "overly", indicating an excess of worry.

unnecessarily worried

Focuses on the lack of necessity for the worry, rather than its intensity.

unreasonably anxious

Highlights the lack of reason or justification for the anxiety.

unduly apprehensive

Replaces "anxious" with "apprehensive", a more formal synonym.

excessively apprehensive

Combines "excessively" with "apprehensive", emphasizing the degree of worry.

inordinately worried

Uses "inordinately" to intensify the feeling of worry.

needlessly concerned

Similar to "unnecessarily worried", stressing the lack of need for the concern.

disproportionately anxious

Indicates that the anxiety is out of proportion to the situation.

more worried than necessary

Expands the phrase to clarify the meaning, emphasizing the excessiveness of the worry.

FAQs

How can I use "unduly anxious" in a sentence?

You can use "unduly anxious" to describe someone who is excessively or unnecessarily worried about something. For example: "She was "unduly anxious" about the outcome of the interview, even though she was well-prepared."

What are some alternatives to "unduly anxious"?

Some alternatives include "excessively worried", "overly concerned", or "unnecessarily worried". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "unduly anxious"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say someone is "unduly anxious". It means they are more worried than is reasonable or necessary.

What is the difference between "anxious" and "unduly anxious"?

"Anxious" simply means worried or nervous. "Unduly anxious" implies that the level of anxiety is excessive or disproportionate to the situation. It suggests that the person's worry is perhaps unwarranted.