was anxious to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was anxious to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or eagerness to do something in the past. Example: "She was anxious to start her new job and meet her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

MI5 was anxious to assist.

The Guardian

The government was anxious to sideline him.

Stanford University

He was anxious to empty his pockets.

The Washington Post

I was anxious to go on.

The Guardian - Film

He was anxious to leave home for college.

Princeton University

He was anxious to get rid of that older generation.

The New Yorker

As always, O'Brien was anxious to distribute the credit.

Independent

Still, Erdogan was anxious to put the matter to rest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Everyone is anxious to solve this crime.

Independent

"I'm anxious to make a play.

The New York Times - Sports

"People were anxious to learn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was anxious to" when you want to express that someone had a strong desire or eagerness to do something. Ensure that the context aligns with this sense of anticipation or concern.

Common error

Be careful not to use "was anxious to" when "was eager to" or "was keen to" would be more appropriate. "Anxious" implies a degree of worry or unease, so ensure that the context reflects this nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was anxious to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of eagerness or strong desire, often accompanied by a sense of anticipation or concern. Ludwig examples show it used to describe someone's eagerness to see, hear, or do something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was anxious to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to express a past feeling of strong desire or eagerness, often with an undercurrent of worry or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academic writing. While similar to "was eager to", it's crucial to consider the subtle nuance of worry that "anxious" implies. Remember to use it when you want to convey both eagerness and a slight sense of unease, and explore alternatives like "was eager to" or "was keen to" for simpler expressions of enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was eager to

A more direct synonym, indicating enthusiasm and anticipation.

couldn't wait to

Emphasizes excitement and strong anticipation.

was keen to

Suggests enthusiasm and willingness, with a slightly more formal tone.

was dying to

An informal expression conveying a strong desire.

was impatient to

Highlights a sense of restlessness and wanting something to happen quickly.

was intent on

Focuses on the person's purpose and intention.

was determined to

Indicates a firm decision and resolve to do something.

was set on

Indicates a firm decision or plan.

was resolved to

Similar to 'determined', but with a slightly more formal tone.

was yearning to

Suggests a deep longing or desire.

FAQs

What does "was anxious to" mean?

The phrase "was anxious to" indicates that someone had a strong desire or eagerness to do something, often accompanied by a sense of anticipation or slight worry.

What can I say instead of "was anxious to"?

You can use alternatives like "was eager to", "was keen to", or "couldn't wait to" depending on the context.

Is "anxious to" the same as "eager to"?

While similar, "anxious to" often implies a degree of worry or unease in addition to eagerness, whereas "eager to" simply expresses enthusiasm and anticipation.

How to use "was anxious to" in a sentence?

Use "was anxious to" to show that someone felt a strong desire to do something, such as "She was anxious to hear the results" or "He was anxious to get on with it".