Usage of 'anxious'

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Greetings, Everyone,

Could you please shed some light on the issue of the correct usage of the adjective 'anxious', as I seem to encounter some controversies whether it should only be used in the sense of 'uneasy', 'nervous', 'apprehensive' or meaning 'eager' or 'earnest', as well. :-?

In either case, what is the correct syntax? ...anxious to + verb... or is a clause (...anxious that...) also acceptable?

Thank you very much in advance,

Tomasz

 

[Barb_D]

The problem usage with "anxious" is when it is used as a synonym for "eager."

There are those who insist it must carry a sense of unease.

However, the third definition in the dictionary is "ardently or earnestly wishing" (Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online) and "eager" is listed as a synonym.

 

[Allen165]

The correct construction is "anxious about...," not "anxious to..."

I'm not a teacher.

 

[Allen165]

anxious/eager

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Thank you very much for the time taken to reply to my humble request.

It looks like there's no definite verdict, though... ;-)

Jasmin165: not really, if we assume 'anxious' meaning 'eager' is at least acceptable, the 'to + infinitive' syntax, such as "I'm so anxious to meet your ex..." is a VERY common structure ;-)

 

[MrPedantic]

I wouldn't myself object to "anxious" + "to" + verb, e.g.

1. Fanny was very anxious to be useful [Jane Austen]

"Anxious that" is also fine:

2. She is such a dear soul, and was so anxious that the baby should be a fine child [Dickens]

(If you're "anxious to be useful", you're eager to be useful in a nervous, fluttery fashion; there is an underlying apprehension that you might be thwarted.)

Best wishes,

MrP

 

[Raymott]

Thank you very much for the time taken to reply to my humble request.

It looks like there's no definite verdict, though... ;-)

Jasmin165: not really, if we assume 'anxious' meaning 'eager' is at least acceptable, the 'to + infinitive' syntax, such as "I'm so anxious to meet your ex..." is a VERY common structure ;-)

I think 'anxious' still requires a feeling of unease.

>1. Fanny was very anxious to be useful [Jane Austen]
The thought that she might not be useful made Fanny feel anxious/uneasy.

>2. She is such a dear soul, and was so anxious that the baby should be a fine child [Dickens]
Thinking that the baby might not be a fine child made the dear soul feel anxious/uneasy.

I think that under normal circumstances:
>"I'm so anxious to meet your ex..."
is hyperbolic/figurative - unless there is some reason the person would really be anxious if they didn't meet the ex.

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Mr. Pedantic, Raymott -> Thank you for your very interesting input, exactly the kind of response I had hoped to receive, a native speaker's feeling what it sounds like when 'anxious' is used in certain contexts, and also examples of the correct syntax. Much appreciated.

Good to know a clause is also possible (like in "...anxious that...").

:up: