was anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of worry or unease that someone experienced in the past. Example: "She was anxious about the upcoming exam, fearing she might not perform well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was anxious, distracted.

The New York Times

Rowan was anxious.

The New Yorker

Brock was anxious.

The New York Times

He was anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

"Of course I was anxious".

The New York Times

His voice was anxious.

The Guardian - Arts

Trin was anxious, cold and short-tempered.

The New York Times

On Thursday, Monson admitted he was anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

MI5 was anxious to assist.

The Guardian

Everyone, everywhere, was anxious today.

The New York Times

She was anxious but hopeful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was anxious" to describe a past state of worry or nervousness about a specific event or situation. For example, "She "was anxious" about the job interview."

Common error

Avoid using "was anxious" without clearly indicating the source or reason for the anxiety. For example, instead of saying "He "was anxious"," specify "He "was anxious" about the upcoming presentation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was anxious" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It describes a past state of being, specifically a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was anxious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to describe a past state of worry or nervousness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using "was anxious", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the anxiety. Consider using synonyms like "felt worried" or "felt nervous" for variety. Remember, "was anxious" describes a past state, distinct from the present "is anxious".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt worried

Replaces "anxious" with a more common synonym, "worried", to indicate a state of concern.

felt nervous

Substitutes "anxious" with "nervous", emphasizing unease and apprehension.

was concerned

Replaces "anxious" with "concerned", suggesting a state of worry and attentiveness.

was uneasy

Replaces "anxious" with "uneasy", highlighting a lack of comfort and peace of mind.

was apprehensive

Uses a more formal synonym, "apprehensive", to denote anxiety about a future event.

was on edge

Uses the idiom "on edge" to convey a state of heightened tension and anxiety.

had worries

Focuses on the presence of "worries" instead of directly stating anxiety.

was in suspense

Highlights the state of uncertainty and anticipation causing anxiety.

was eager

Shifts the focus to eagerness, which can sometimes be a source of anxiety.

was impatient

Similar to eagerness, but emphasizes a desire for something to happen sooner, potentially causing anxiety.

FAQs

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

Use "was anxious" to describe a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease that someone experienced in the past. For example, "She "was anxious" about the upcoming exam".

What are some alternatives to "was anxious"?

You can use alternatives such as "felt worried", "felt nervous", or "was concerned" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was anxious to"?

Yes, it is correct. "Was anxious to" indicates a strong desire or eagerness to do something. For example, "He "was anxious to leave" for college".

What's the difference between "was anxious" and "is anxious"?

"Was anxious" refers to a past state of anxiety, while "is anxious" refers to a current state of anxiety. For example, "She "was anxious" yesterday" versus "She "is anxious" today".