were anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were anxious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of worry or concern that occurred in the past. Example: "The students were anxious about their upcoming exams, fearing they might not perform well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

His parents were anxious, too.

The New York Times

"People were anxious to learn.

The Guardian

"They were anxious to go".

The New York Times

Some pupils were anxious, too.

The Guardian

Both said they were anxious for peace.

The Economist

They were loud, they were anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were anxious to see it.

The New York Times - Sports

People were anxious, at times fearful.

The New York Times - Arts

But these were anxious times, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

The students were anxious to know who got it right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were anxious", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the anxiety to provide a complete picture for the reader. For example, "They were anxious about the upcoming deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "were anxious" when "were eager" or "were excited" would be more appropriate. "Anxious" carries a connotation of worry, while "eager" and "excited" denote positive anticipation. For example, say "They were eager to start the project", not "They were anxious to start the project" if the feeling is positive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were anxious" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase indicating a state of worry, nervousness, or unease experienced by someone in the past. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as expressing concern about events or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were anxious" is a common and grammatically sound way to express past feelings of worry or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the context and choose synonyms like "were worried" or "were concerned" for more precise communication. Avoid misusing it for positive anticipation, where "were eager" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt worried

Focuses more on the feeling of worry rather than a general state of anxiety.

were concerned

Suggests a milder form of anxiety, often related to care and consideration.

were uneasy

Implies a lack of comfort and a sense of apprehension.

were apprehensive

Highlights a feeling of dread or anticipation of something negative.

were nervous

Emphasizes agitation and heightened state of alertness.

felt agitated

Conveys physical and mental restlessness, a higher intensity compared to just being anxious.

were on edge

Expresses a state of being tense and easily provoked.

were fretful

Suggests being visibly worried and restless, often about minor matters.

were solicitous

Indicates a caring concern, almost to an excessive degree.

were worked up

Suggests an emotional state of excitement or distress, often leading to anxiety.

FAQs

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

Use "were anxious" to describe a past state of worry, nervousness, or unease about something. For example: "The students "were anxious" about their exam results."

What's the difference between "were anxious" and "were excited"?

"Were anxious" implies worry or nervousness about a future event or situation, while "were excited" suggests positive anticipation and enthusiasm. You might say, "They "were anxious" about the storm", but "They "were excited" about the vacation".

What are some alternatives to "were anxious"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were worried", "were concerned", "were uneasy", or "were apprehensive" instead of "were anxious".

Is it correct to say "were anxious to" do something?

While "anxious to" can sometimes imply eagerness, it often carries a connotation of worry or stress. In many cases, it's better to use alternatives like "were eager to" or "were keen to" if you want to express positive anticipation.