This adjective describes worry or tension.
The idea
Use nervous about an event or an action ending in -ing. A nervous smile shows the feeling.
Examples
- I feel nervous before the interview.
- They were nervous about the flight.
- Our drummer gets nervous on stage.
- She was nervous about meeting his family.
- A nervous smile appeared on his face.
- We were nervous until the results arrived.
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Watch out
Do not confuse nervous with angry: it describes anxiety, not necessarily anger.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. I am nervous ___ the test tomorrow. (about / of)
Show answer or example answer
about
About introduces the test as the cause of the feeling.
Choose the correct option. He feels nervous about ___ in public. (speaking / speak)
Show answer or example answer
speaking
Speaking names the action that causes concern.
Choose the correct option. The singer gave a ___ laugh before the show. (nervous / nervously)
Show answer or example answer
nervous
Nervous describes the laugh; the adjective comes before the noun.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. I am nervous ___ the test tomorrow. (about / of)
Choose the correct option. He feels nervous about ___ in public. (speaking / speak)
Choose the correct option. The singer gave a ___ laugh before the show. (nervous / nervously)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe a time before an event when you felt tense.