Anxious vs We're concerned about the alarms

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Anxious

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective

We're concerned about the alarms

Top 2,000 (common)
 AnxiousWe're concerned about the alarms
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/🇬🇧 //wɪə kənˈsɜːnd əˈbaʊt ði əˈlɑːmz//🇺🇸 //wɪr kənˈsɜrnd əˈbaʊt ði əˈlɑrmz//
MeaningWorried or nervous about something.We are worried about the alarms.
ExampleShe felt anxious about the upcoming exam.We're concerned about the alarms going off in the building.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsappear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, forconcerned about, deeply concerned, concerned citizens, concerned parents, very concerned
Antonymscalm, relaxed, composed-
Common mistakesConfusing '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.Confusing 'concerned' with 'worried' - they have similar meanings but different uses., Using 'concerned' without 'about' - incorrect phrasing., Overusing in casual talks - 'worried' may be more fitting.
Usage notesUsed 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 discussions about feelings or seriousness. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, but may seem overly formal in casual conversation.

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We're concerned about the alarms

Frequently asked questions: Anxious vs We're concerned about the alarms

What's the difference between Anxious and We're concerned about the alarms?

Anxious: Worried or nervous about something. We're concerned about the alarms: We are worried about the alarms.

Can you show an example of each?

Anxious: She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. We're concerned about the alarms: We're concerned about the alarms going off in the building.

Can I use Anxious and We're concerned about the alarms interchangeably?

Not always. Anxious and We're concerned about the alarms 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.

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