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Martin, you used the word scared three times thismorning.
I had three worrying situations.
You had a presentation, you were waiting for animportant result, and a large dog ran towards you.
Exactly, I was scared, scared, and scared.
The general meaning is possible, but English canbe much more precise.
Then give me three better words.
Nervous, anxious, and terrified.
Welcome to your English Toolbox and Practice Arena5-Minute English. I am Martin.
And I am Julia.
Today we are replacing the general word scaredwith three more precise words.
Nervous, anxious, and terrified.
They all involve fear or worry, but they describedifferent experiences.
Let us begin with nervous.
Nervous usually describes worry or tension beforea specific event or performance.
Before my presentation, my hands felt cold and Ikept checking my notes.
You were nervous about the presentation.
We often feel nervous before an interview, anexam, a first date, or a difficult conversation.
For example, she felt nervous before speaking tothe whole team.
Or I always get nervous when I have to fly.
Nervous can include excitement as well as fear.
The event matters to you and you are waiting forit to happen.
Common patterns are nervous about something andnervous before something.
Our second word is anxious.
Anxious describes worry, unease, or tension, oftenconnected with uncertainty.
You were waiting for an important medical result
and you could not concentrate on anything else.
I felt anxious about the result.
The worry continued because you did not know whatwould happen.
For example, many employees are anxious about thepossible changes at work.
Or he became anxious when his daughter did notanswer her phone.
Anxious can be stronger or more persistent thannervous, but context matters.
And using anxious in an everyday sentence does notautomatically describe a medical condition.
03:03
The useful pattern here is anxious aboutsomething.
So I was nervous before the presentation butanxious while waiting for uncertain news.
Exactly. Our third word is terrified.
Terrified means extremely frightened.
When the large dog ran towards me, I thought itwas going to attack.
You were terrified.
The fear was intense and immediate.
For example, the passengers were terrified whenthe car began to slide on the ice.
Or she is terrified of heights and cannot lookdown from a tall building.
Common patterns are terrified of something,
terrified by something, and terrified thatsomething may happen.
Terrified is already a very strong word, so weusually do not need very.
Absolutely terrified is possible when you wantextra emphasis.
Let us compare the three words.
Nervous often describes tension before a specificevent.
Anxious often describes continuing worry aboutuncertainty or possible problems.
Terrified describes extreme fear.
The situation and intensity help you choose.
Time for a quick challenge.
Choose nervous, anxious, or terrified before weanswer.
Situation 1.
You are about to begin your first driving lessonand your stomach feels tight.
You are nervous.
Situation 2.
Your company may close a department, but nobodywill give you clear information.
You are anxious about what may happen.
Situation 3.
You wake up and see smoke coming through thebedroom door.
You are terrified.
Situation 4.
You have an interview tomorrow and you also feelexcited about the opportunity.
You are probably nervous, not terrified.
Now improve this sentence. I was scared.
Ask yourself two questions.
How intense was the feeling? And was I facing anevent, uncertainty, or immediate danger?
Then choose the precise word.
On the episode page at YourEnglishToolbox.com, youcan download the printable vocabulary guide
and practice these contrasts with completeexamples.
The direct link is in the episode description.
Martin, how did the presentation go?
It went well. I was nervous before it, but calmonce I started.
And the important result?
Everything was fine, so I am no longer anxious.
06:02
What about the large dog?
It wanted the sandwich in my hand.
Were you terrified?
For three seconds, then I was hungry.
That is a much easier problem.
See you next time, friends.
Goodbye.
