anxious about, anxious at, anxious for, anxious to

Normally, anxious about and anxious at are used to express concern. Anxious about refers to the subject of worry, and anxious at refers to the cause of worry.

• New mothers and fathers are often anxious about their parenting skills.
• The letter carrier became anxious at the sight of the unleashed dog.
• Tristan was anxious at Iseult’s delay.

Anxious for indicates a positive concern or a desire for something.

• Entrepreneurs are anxious for cordial relations with emerging Central Asian nations.

Anxious to also indicates eagerness and is followed by a verb.

• The magician was anxious to please her young audience.

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