I grew apprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I grew apprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety or unease about a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached and the team was still behind schedule, I grew apprehensive about our ability to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her smile disappeared, and her face grew apprehensive.

The New York Times - Arts

[I]n the interview, Mr. Lieberman said that he grew apprehensive when a formal proposal began to take shape.

Huffington Post

For the first time, she grew apprehensive about making the annual pilgrimage to Elko.

Vice

But Cherne had grown apprehensive after the revolution.

The New Yorker

Immigrants have grown apprehensive about calling local law enforcement agencies if they know the Border Patrol will respond, he said.

The New York Times

Though he is given high marks for audacity, leaders and ideologists from neighboring countries have grown apprehensive about his ultimate goals.

The New York Times

There is evidence that the public is growing apprehensive of the government's motives in the far-flung Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative doping case.

The New York Times - Sports

The arrests brought a sigh of relief to residents of this bustling capital city of 11 million people, who had grown apprehensive in recent weeks as the government appeared helpless to solve the bomb attacks.

The New York Times

So far, while museum officials say privately that collectors have grown apprehensive about lending their paintings, only the Modern has admitted to exhibition casualties -- and only for the Bonnard show, which is currently on view in London.

The New York Times - Arts

Just when you start to grow apprehensive, ol' Bobby comes through with the goods: in this case, a blue-chip recipe for glazed Porkette steaks with watercress and black-pepper vinaigrette.

The New York Times

Wall Street is growing apprehensive that this spring's green shoots aren't developing into a sustainable recovery, and fearing a deeper retrenchment for the careworn consumer.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "I grew apprehensive" works well when there's a build-up of circumstances leading to the feeling. If the anxiety is sudden, another phrase might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "I grew apprehensive" to describe sudden shocks or moments of immediate fear. It's better suited for situations where anxiety builds over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I grew apprehensive" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "grew" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject "I" to the adjective "apprehensive". The Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I grew apprehensive" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety or unease. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While examples are limited, those available indicate use in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "I became anxious" or "I started to worry" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, consider whether the context requires a gradual build-up of anxiety or a more immediate feeling of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I became anxious

Shifts from gradual development to a state of anxiety.

I started to worry

Focuses on the beginning of a worrying state.

I became uneasy

Indicates a feeling of discomfort or restlessness.

I began to fear

Emphasizes the onset of fear.

I felt concern rising

Highlights an increase in concern.

I sensed impending doom

Implies a strong feeling of negative future events.

I anticipated trouble

Focuses on expecting difficulties.

I foresaw problems

Indicates predicting future issues.

I expected difficulties

Highlights anticipation of challenging events.

I braced myself for the worst

Implies preparing for extremely negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "I grew apprehensive" in a sentence?

You can use "I grew apprehensive" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety. For instance: "As the deadline approached and the team was still behind schedule, I grew apprehensive about our ability to complete the project on time."

What can I say instead of "I grew apprehensive"?

You can use alternatives like "I became anxious", "I started to worry", or "I became uneasy" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I grew apprehensive" or "I became apprehensive"?

"I grew apprehensive" suggests a gradual increase in anxiety, while "I became apprehensive" implies a more sudden onset. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual experience.

What's the difference between "I grew apprehensive" and "I felt apprehensive"?

"I grew apprehensive" indicates a developing feeling over time, while "I felt apprehensive" simply states that you experienced the feeling. The former emphasizes the process, the latter the state.