English Café: Excited is different from nervous

Advanced Details: Excited is different from nervous

When you’re excited, you feel that something nice is about to happen, or have a task to do that will be enjoyable, and that this task will be fun. The risk is the fun about it: the chance to adventure, experience new things, learn. If you are excited, you are so happy that you cannot relax. You are looking forward to something, e.g.,

• I was excited because I just received the keys to my new car.
• The excited crowd waited for the K-pop band to begin playing.
• I am really excited about the opportunity to work with her.

The difference is that when you’re nervous, you are afraid that you are not going to be able to complete or survive a task successfully. The risks of the task may be major or minor. For example, you are afraid that you might die of embarrassment or shame, you might lose your job, you might lose a friend. You are worried about something, e.g.,

• Malinee was very nervous about driving again after the accident.
• At the meeting with the CEO I was too nervous to say anything. I didn’t speak at all.
• My youngest son is nervous in the dark. We always leave his bedroom light on at night.