Cool MateAnxious vs Concerned vs Nervous vs Troubled vs Uneasy vs Worried
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anxious
Concerned
Nervous
Troubled
Uneasy
Worried
| Anxious | Concerned | Nervous | Troubled | Uneasy | Worried | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsɜːnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsɜːrnd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnɜːvəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnɜːrvəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtrʌbld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtrʌbld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʌnˈiːzi//🇺🇸 //ʌnˈizi// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈwʌrid/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈwɜːrid/"]/ |
| Meaning | Worried or nervous about something. | worried or anxious about something | Feeling worried or anxious | having problems or difficulties | Feeling uncomfortable or worried. | Feeling anxious or concerned about something. |
| Example | She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. | She was very concerned about the upcoming exam results. | She felt nervous before her speech in front of the class. | She looked into his troubled face. | She felt uneasy about the upcoming interview. | She is worried about her exam results. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | A2 | C1 | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective | adjective | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, for | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, by, be, especially, particularly, specifically, with | appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, of, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, of | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, at, by, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, at, by | feel uneasy, uneasy silence, uneasy situation | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, worried sick |
| Antonyms | calm, relaxed, composed | unconcerned, indifferent, carefree | calm, relaxed, confident | untroubled, content, calm | calm, comfortable, at ease | calm, untroubled, carefree |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'anxious' with 'eager', which means excited or looking forward to something., Using 'anxious' without a preposition; it should be 'anxious about' or 'anxious for'., Thinking 'anxious' always means worry, not recognizing it can imply a strong desire in certain contexts. | Confused with 'concerning' which means 'about', Using 'concerned' when feeling indifferent, Using the wrong preposition, e.g., saying 'concerned for' instead of 'concerned about' | Confusing with 'excited' as they can feel similar., Using 'nervous' when meaning 'angry'., Saying 'nervous for' instead of 'nervous about'. | Confusing with 'trouble' as a verb or noun., Using it to describe things that are not serious, like a minor inconvenience., Mistakenly thinking it only refers to emotional issues. | Confused with 'easy' - they have opposite meanings., Using 'uneasy' to describe physical discomfort instead of emotional or mental states., Incorrectly using it in a humorous context. | 'Worried of' instead of 'worried about', Confusing 'worried' with 'worriedly' (the adverb form), 'Worry' as a noun instead of using the adjective 'worried' |
| Usage notes | Used when feeling nervous or uneasy about a situation. Generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but in very casual settings, some might use 'worried' instead. | Use 'concerned' in contexts where you want to express worry or care for someone's situation. It is appropriate in both spoken and written communication. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where less formal language might be more suitable. | Used to describe a feeling of anxiety; common in both spoken and written English. Avoid in overly relaxed situations where less formal vocabulary is suitable. | Use 'troubled' to describe people or situations facing issues. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts, as it can sound heavy or serious. | Use 'uneasy' to describe feelings of discomfort or anxiety. It's not usually suitable for casual conversation. Rely on context to determine its appropriateness. | Use 'worried' in situations of concern or anxiety. It's suitable for both casual and more serious contexts. Avoid using it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anxious vs Concerned vs Nervous vs Troubled vs Uneasy vs Worried
What's the difference between Anxious, Concerned, Nervous, Troubled, Uneasy, and Worried?
Anxious: Worried or nervous about something. Concerned: worried or anxious about something Nervous: Feeling worried or anxious Troubled: having problems or difficulties Uneasy: Feeling uncomfortable or worried. Worried: Feeling anxious or concerned about something.
Are Anxious, Concerned, Nervous, Troubled, Uneasy, and Worried the same CEFR level?
Anxious: B2, Concerned: B2, Nervous: A2, Troubled: C1, Uneasy: C1, Worried: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Anxious, Concerned, Nervous, Troubled, Uneasy, and Worried?
Anxious: adjective, Concerned: adjective, Nervous: adjective, Troubled: adjective, Uneasy: adjective, Worried: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Anxious: She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. Concerned: She was very concerned about the upcoming exam results. Nervous: She felt nervous before her speech in front of the class. Troubled: She looked into his troubled face. Uneasy: She felt uneasy about the upcoming interview. Worried: She is worried about her exam results.
Can I use Anxious, Concerned, Nervous, Troubled, Uneasy, and Worried interchangeably?
Not always. Anxious, Concerned, Nervous, Troubled, Uneasy, and Worried are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.