NERVOUSNESS IS A FEELING OF FEAR OR WORRY

 Nervousness is a common emotion characterized by feelings of fear, anxiety, or worry, often about something in the future. Whether it’s a job interview, an exam, or a big presentation, we all experience nervousness at some point in our lives. This lesson will cover how to express nervousness in English, the grammar and vocabulary related to it, and useful ways to talk about feeling nervous in conversations.

Grammar:

• Present Continuous Tense: Used to express current feelings of nervousness.

  • Example: "I’m feeling nervous about my speech."

• Present Perfect Tense: To talk about nervousness over time or recent experiences.

  • Example: "I have been nervous all week."

• Adjective + Infinitive Structure: To describe why someone is nervous.

  • Example: "She’s nervous to talk in front of the class."

• Modals (Can/Could): Used to express possibility or ability related to nervousness.

  • Example: "I can’t help feeling nervous before a big test."

Vocabulary:

1. Nervous – feeling worried or anxious.
2. Anxiety – a feeling of worry or fear, often about something specific.
3. Worried – feeling uneasy or anxious about something.
4. Uneasy – slightly nervous or uncomfortable.
5. Apprehensive – feeling worried about something that might happen.
6. On edge – feeling tense or anxious.
7. Tense – feeling tight, often because of stress or nervousness.
8. Fidgety – unable to stay still, often due to nervousness.
9. Sweaty palms – a common physical reaction to nervousness.
10. Heart racing – a fast heartbeat often caused by nervousness.

Useful Expressions:

1. "I’m feeling really nervous about the interview."
2. "She gets nervous before every exam."
3. "I have a feeling of unease about the upcoming event."
4. "He’s on edge because of the big presentation."
5. "My hands get sweaty when I’m nervous."
6. "I can’t stop fidgeting when I’m nervous."
7. "It’s normal to feel apprehensive before a big decision."
8. "Why do I always get so tense before meetings?"
9. "I’m worried I won’t do well in the test."
10. "My heart starts racing whenever I speak in public."

Sentences:

1. "I always feel nervous before job interviews."
2. "She’s been anxious about the presentation for weeks."
3. "When I’m nervous, I tend to fidget a lot."
4. "It’s normal to feel uneasy before starting something new."
5. "I couldn’t help feeling nervous on my first day at the new school."
6. "His palms were sweaty, and his heart was racing as he stepped on stage."
7. "Are you nervous about tomorrow’s meeting?"
8. "I feel apprehensive about moving to a new city."
9. "Whenever I get nervous, I try to breathe deeply and relax."
10. "She gets tense every time she has to make a big decision."

Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What makes you nervous?

   • A: I get nervous when I have to speak in front of large groups.

2. Q: Why are you feeling nervous today?

   • A: I’m nervous because I have a job interview this afternoon.

3. Q: How do you deal with your nervousness?

   • A: I try to take deep breaths and stay calm when I feel nervous.

4. Q: Are you often nervous before exams?

   • A: Yes, I always get nervous before big exams. It’s hard to relax.

5. Q: What happens when you get nervous?

   • A: My hands start to shake, and my heart races when I’m nervous.

6. Q: What makes you feel uneasy about the situation?

   • A: I feel uneasy because I don’t know what to expect.

7. Q: Do you get fidgety when you’re nervous?

   • A: Yes, I can’t sit still when I’m nervous.

8. Q: How do you calm yourself down when you feel nervous?

   • A: I try to focus on my breathing and clear my mind.

9. Q: Why do you think some people get more nervous than others?

   • A: Some people might be more anxious by nature, or they worry more about things going wrong.

10. Q: Is it normal to feel nervous before important events?

    • A: Yes, it’s completely normal to feel nervous before important events like exams or interviews.

Conversation:

James: You seem nervous. What’s going on?

Emily: I have a big presentation tomorrow, and I’m feeling really anxious about it.

James: Oh, I know that feeling. Presentations make me nervous too. Have you practiced?

Emily: A little, but every time I think about standing in front of everyone, my heart starts racing.

James: It’s normal to feel that way. What helps me is practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend.

Emily: That’s a good idea. I’ll try that tonight. Thanks!

James: No problem. You’ll do great. Just take deep breaths and remember it’s okay to be nervous.

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Mia: Hi, Luke. You look a little uneasy. Are you okay?

Luke: Yeah, I’m just feeling a bit nervous about my test tomorrow.

Mia: I get that. I always feel on edge before exams. What are you worried about?

Luke: I don’t know if I studied enough. I’m afraid I’ll forget everything when I sit down to take the test.

Mia: I’ve been there too. Just try to stay calm and trust that you’ve prepared well. You’ll remember more than you think.

Luke: Thanks, Mia. I hope so.

Mia: You’ve got this! Everyone gets nervous, but it’ll be okay.

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Reading:

"Dealing with Nervousness"

Nervousness is a feeling that everyone experiences at some point. For some, it’s the nervous excitement before starting something new, like a first day at school or a new job. For others, nervousness comes with fear of failure or judgment, like before a big exam or public speaking event. Although it’s uncomfortable, nervousness is a normal response to situations where we want to do our best or where the outcome is uncertain.

Sarah is a college student who often feels nervous before exams. Her hands get sweaty, her heart starts racing, and she has trouble concentrating. Despite studying hard, she can’t shake the feeling that she’ll forget everything when the exam starts.

To help manage her nervousness, Sarah decided to try some techniques to calm her mind and body. She practiced deep breathing, which helped slow down her racing heart. She also created a study plan to feel more prepared. The night before her exams, Sarah made sure to get enough sleep, knowing that a well-rested mind performs better.

On the day of the exam, Sarah still felt nervous, but this time, she had tools to manage it. She took a few deep breaths before entering the exam room, focused on what she knew, and tried to stay calm. By the end of the test, Sarah realized that while her nervousness hadn’t disappeared, she had learned to control it.

Nervousness is something we all deal with, but it doesn’t have to control us. With practice and the right techniques, anyone can learn to manage their nervousness and perform well, even in the most stressful situations.