Nervous about means feeling anxious or uneasy about something: I'm nervous about the interview. It's usually about something ahead of you: an exam, a presentation, a first day at a new job. After about, use a noun or an -ing form.
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be/feel/get nervous about + noun/-ing; Don't be nervous (about + noun)
- I was nervous about giving my first presentation in English, but it went well.
- Many students feel nervous about the speaking part of the exam.
- He's nervous about flying, so he takes the train whenever he can.
What changed
First versionDon't nervous about the interview, you've prepared really well.
RevisionDon't be nervous about the interview, you've prepared really well.
Nervous is not a verb. It describes a state, like tired or happy, so it can't follow don't on its own. You need be: Don't be nervous. Be was added.
Nervous is about something that's coming up: a presentation, an exam, medical test results. When you're concerned about a problem or another person, worried about is more natural: I'm worried about my dad's health. And note that a nervous person is anxious and easily frightened, not irritable or bad-tempered.
Your turn
I'm a bit nervous about ___ my new manager tomorrow.
Show the answer
meeting — After the preposition about, a verb takes -ing: nervous about meeting. To meet isn't used after a preposition. The infinitive only works without about: nervous to meet.
Describe an event you're nervous about. Name it and say what you do to calm down.
I'm nervous about my driving test next Friday, so I go for a long walk every evening to calm down.
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