Friday, August 14, 2009

eager/anxious

This is undoubtedly one of the most common mistakes in English. I can't tell you how many times I hear someone say he or she is anxious to be going on vacation. Really? Who doesn't like to go on vacation? Here's the scoop on this lovely pair of words. . .

People who use "anxious" in this context mean they're looking forward to a certain event. Here's the problem with that train of thought. "Anxious" is a form of the word "anxiety," meaning you're looking at something with a sense of fear or trepidation.

If the person mentioned above is, indeed, anticipating a lovely vacation (whether it's to the south of France or to Puddlewater, Idaho), he or she is "eager" to be going. If you're anxious about going to Puddlewater, well, then I guess that's understandable. Not that there's anything wrong with the state of Idaho. I've been there. Lovely state. So no nasty posts from Idahoans, please.

From now on, use "eager" when it deals with a sense of positive anticipation rather than a sense of dread.

That being said, I'm eager to share tomorrow's posts with you (although some of you may be anxious. . .but I can't imagine that).

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