a groundless apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a groundless apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fear or concern that is not based on any real evidence or justification. Example: "Her anxiety about the upcoming presentation was merely a groundless apprehension, as she was well-prepared and had practiced extensively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a groundless fear.

The Guardian - Books

Nor are they a groundless middle-class concern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Carr weaves what I consider a groundless story of inferential intrigue.

The New York Times

The Obama administration, economic experts and some Republicans dismissed that notion as a groundless conspiracy theory.

The New York Times

This is a groundless and absurd smear campaign against the DPRK.

The Washington Post

"It's a groundless lie that a female was among the mujahideen attackers," the spokesman said.

The Guardian

To outsiders, Sicilians claimed that the Mafia was a fable, a groundless slur.

The New Yorker

An industry spokesman called the suit a groundless "shotgun attack on managed care".

The New York Times

The police suspect [he] financed my escape – this is a groundless lie".

The Guardian

It is not a groundless theoretical invention.

SEP

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa said dismissed the report as a "groundless allegation".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a groundless apprehension" when you want to emphasize that a feeling of anxiety or fear is not based on any factual evidence or logical reasoning. It suggests that the apprehension is purely subjective and lacks external justification.

Common error

While "a groundless apprehension" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat formal or academic. In more casual writing or conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "an unfounded worry" or "a baseless fear" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a groundless apprehension" functions as a noun phrase, where "groundless" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "apprehension". It describes a specific type of feeling. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a groundless apprehension" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a feeling of worry or anxiety that lacks any factual basis. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While its frequency is currently low, it serves the purpose of highlighting the irrational nature of a fear. Though not tied to a specific register, it leans slightly towards formal or neutral contexts. When using this phrase, consider simpler alternatives for casual settings and always aim to emphasize the lack of justification for the feeling of apprehension. Given the lack of direct examples, the precise distribution across source types is difficult to determine.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfounded worry

Replaces "apprehension" with "worry" and "groundless" with "unfounded", maintaining the core meaning of a baseless concern.

a baseless fear

Substitutes "apprehension" with "fear" and "groundless" with "baseless", emphasizing the lack of foundation for the emotion.

an unsubstantiated concern

Replaces "apprehension" with "concern" and "groundless" with "unsubstantiated", highlighting the lack of evidence supporting the worry.

a needless anxiety

Uses "anxiety" instead of "apprehension" and "needless" instead of "groundless", focusing on the unnecessary nature of the anxiety.

a misplaced worry

Similar to "a needless anxiety", but emphasizes that the worry is directed at the wrong thing or is inappropriate.

a false alarm

Shifts the focus to the incorrectness of the perceived threat rather than the emotion itself.

an illusory fear

Replaces "groundless" with "illusory", suggesting the fear is based on a perception that isn't real.

a phantom dread

More figurative, using "phantom" to suggest the dread is imaginary or unreal.

a gratuitous concern

Emphasizes that the concern is uncalled for or unnecessary.

a vain disquiet

Uses "disquiet" instead of apprehension. "Vain" implies that the worry is ultimately pointless or without consequence.

FAQs

What does "a groundless apprehension" mean?

It refers to a feeling of worry, anxiety, or fear that is not based on any real or logical reason. It's an apprehension that lacks foundation or justification.

How can I use "a groundless apprehension" in a sentence?

You might say, "Her fear of flying was "a groundless apprehension", as the airline had an impeccable safety record".

What are some alternatives to "a groundless apprehension"?

You can use alternatives like "an unfounded worry", "a baseless fear", or "a needless anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a groundless apprehension" the same as "an unfounded concern"?

While similar, "an unfounded concern" may imply a slightly milder level of worry compared to ""a groundless apprehension"", which suggests a more pronounced feeling of anxiety or fear.