Getting Emotion!

When you are eager to do something, you want to do it very much.

Joe is only five years old but he is eager to go to school just like his older sister.

On the other hand, you are anxious when you are nervous or worried about something.

Because of the bad storm, Susan is quite anxious about the flight she has to take to attend the conference.

However, if you are anxious to do something, you want to do it very much.

Simon finally got his dream job of researching the migratory patterns of whales and he is anxious to get started as soon as possible.

You may notice that in this meaning, anxious and eager are the same. So, how do you know which meaning anxious has in a particular sentence?

Look at the structure that follows "anxious".

If you are "anxious about something", you are "nervous about something".

If you are "anxious to do something", you are "eager to do something". Another word in this set is "keen", which has the same meaning.

Terry was keen to present his new invention to his boss.

Since I mentioned it already, let's look at "nervous" next.

You are nervous when you are a little afraid or worried that something bad might happen.

Due of his side job, Glen hadn't had time to study and was really nervous about his exams.

You are really happy and look forward to a special event when you are excited.

Janet was excited when her boyfriend asked to meet her parents. She had long waited for him to ask her to get married.

Let's recap the main points.

You can be anxious/eager/keen to do something. That means you want to do it very much.

Paul is anxious/eager/keen to get a promotion so he will finally earn enough money to propose to his girlfriend.

When you are worried and a little afraid that something bad might happen, you are anxious/nervous about something.

The storm had caused a power cut and Michelle was really anxious/nervous about the long walk home in the dark.

And if you are really happy because something good is going to happen, you are excited.

Michael is so excited about next week's trip to Kanchanaburi that he has packed his bags already.

By Dr English

drenglish_7@hotmail.com