we were anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of worry or unease about a situation in the past. Example: "As the deadline approached, we were anxious about completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"We were anxious to see it.

The New York Times - Sports

We were anxious to begin our life as people who had no people.

The New Yorker

We come 5,000 miles from here, and we were anxious to go on vacation".

The New York Times

We were anxious, particularly about Beattie, who was very happy in Richmond".

The Guardian - Books

"I know we were anxious about the festivities and everything, but now it's over and let's move on".

The New York Times - Sports

And the first theater to open would get all the business because we were anxious to hide.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

(No wonder we're anxious).

The Guardian

This is why we are anxious.

The New York Times

We are anxious but not afraid.

The Guardian - Books

"Of course we're anxious as well.

The Guardian

We are anxious to do that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were anxious" to express concern or unease about past events or situations. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the anxiety.

Common error

Avoid using "we were anxious" when you mean "we were eager" or "we were excited". "Anxious" typically implies worry or unease, not positive anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were anxious" functions as a statement expressing a past state of worry, unease, or concern experienced by a group. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples of its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were anxious" is a common and grammatically sound way to express feelings of worry, unease, or apprehension in the past. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to convey these feelings related to specific events or situations, predominantly in news and media contexts. While some may misuse "anxious" to mean "eager", it's best to reserve "anxious" for contexts involving genuine concern. When writing, remember that context dictates precision. If you need to express concern use this phrase. But when you mean that you are looking forward to something consider using "we were eager".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were worried

Replaces "anxious" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the feeling of concern.

we felt nervous

Directly expresses a feeling of nervousness or unease.

we were concerned

Similar to "worried", but can also imply a sense of responsibility or involvement.

we were uneasy

Highlights a lack of comfort or peace of mind about a situation.

we were apprehensive

Implies a feeling of dread or foreboding about something in the future.

we were agitated

Suggests a state of restlessness or irritation due to worry.

we felt trepidation

Suggests a formal way to express feeling of fear or apprehension about something that might happen.

we felt stressed

Implies a feeling of being overwhelmed by demands and responsibilities.

we were eager

Shifts the focus to anticipation and excitement, rather than worry, but maintains a sense of heightened emotion.

we were impatient

Highlights the frustration of waiting, implying a desire for something to happen sooner.

FAQs

What does "we were anxious" mean?

The phrase "we were anxious" means that a group of people felt worried, uneasy, or apprehensive about something in the past. It indicates a state of concern or nervousness.

What can I say instead of "we were anxious"?

You can use alternatives like "we were worried", "we felt nervous", or "we were concerned" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "anxious" to mean "eager"?

While some people use "anxious" to mean "eager", this usage is often considered incorrect. It's better to use "eager", "excited", or "looking forward to" when expressing positive anticipation.

How do I use "we were anxious" in a sentence?

Use "we were anxious" to describe a past feeling of worry or unease. For example, "We were anxious about the test results" or "We were anxious waiting for the storm to pass".