Avoid this Mistake: Anxious to / Anxious About

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In OET Writing, small vocabulary choices can completely change your meaning. One common issue involves the word “anxious”. The preposition that follows it — about or to — can reverse what you are trying to say in a referral letter.

What Does “Anxious” Mean?

Anxiety is a feeling about a future possibility. Its synonyms are 'worried', 'concerned' or 'preoccupied'.

In OET tasks, patients are often anxious about:

• An operation
• Ongoing symptoms
• Changing medication
• Returning home after discharge

The Critical Difference

The prepositions we use after the word 'anxious' can seriously change the meaning of case notes. Here is a key example: 

Anxious about = Worried

• She is anxious about returning home.
• He is anxious about starting new medication.

Anxious to = Keen / Eager

• Patient is anxious to resume pre-injury routine.
• Patient is anxious to start a new pregnancy.

If you confuse these two, you completely change the meaning.

Why This Matters in OET Writing

Patient is anxious about resuming pre-injury routine.

→ The patient is worried about it.

Patient is anxious to resume pre-injury routine.

→ The patient wants to do it.

A small preposition makes a big difference in professional communication.

Key Takeaways

• Anxious about = worried.
• Anxious to = eager / wants to do something.
• The preposition changes meaning.
• Accuracy is essential in OET Writing.