a little trepidation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little trepidation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a slight feeling of fear or anxiety about something. Example: "As she stood on the edge of the diving board, she felt a little trepidation about jumping into the deep water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I'm waiting for McDiarmid with a little trepidation.

The Guardian - Film

I ask this though, with a little trepidation.

The Guardian - Opinion

I must confess that I had a little trepidation about Rodney Koeneke's Etruria (Wave Books, 2014).

Stanford University

"She's always had a little trepidation about the killer showing up," Mr. Slot said.

The New York Times

They separated themselves from their hosts out of shyness and a little trepidation.

The New York Times

"I have a little trepidation and I feel sad in this airport.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It was with no little trepidation that I turned up to a bar called Sama, in a recently renovated railway arch near Blackfriars Bridge, to join a group of more than 150 runners.

The Guardian

Even as adults, we experience the twinge of regret over the loss of the summer, a little sadness, trepidation and, yet, hope of a new start.

Forbes

On Thanksgiving, we come out of our cells with a little less trepidation towards our neighbors.

Vice

"I feel a little more trepidation with this [character] because she's so emblematic of people's nostalgia," Blunt admitted.

Huffington Post

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little trepidation" to convey a mild sense of apprehension or anxiety, particularly when the situation doesn't warrant strong fear.

Common error

Avoid using "a little trepidation" when the context suggests a significant level of fear or dread. In such cases, stronger terms like "terror" or "alarm" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little trepidation" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object of a verb or preposition, describing a state of mild apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and used to express slight fear or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little trepidation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a mild feeling of anxiety or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is appropriate for use in both neutral and formal contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in news media and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of concern aligns with the situation; stronger terms should be used if the fear is more intense. Related phrases like "slight apprehension" or "mild unease" can be used as alternatives to provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight apprehension

Replaces "trepidation" with "apprehension" maintaining the sense of mild anxiety.

mild unease

Substitutes "trepidation" with "unease" to indicate a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

some hesitation

Focuses on the hesitancy aspect of trepidation, implying a slight reluctance.

a touch of anxiety

Uses "anxiety" to express a feeling of worry or nervousness.

a hint of nervousness

Emphasizes the nervous aspect of trepidation, suggesting a slight unease.

a bit of worry

Replaces "trepidation" with a more straightforward expression of concern.

slight disquiet

Uses "disquiet" to denote a lack of calmness or peace, similar to trepidation.

a small concern

Downplays the feeling of trepidation, presenting it as a minor worry.

a fleeting fear

Highlights the fear aspect of trepidation, indicating it's brief and not overwhelming.

some slight worry

A variation that combines "some" with "slight" to describe a minimal feeling of worry.

FAQs

How can I use "a little trepidation" in a sentence?

You can use "a little trepidation" to describe a mild feeling of anxiety or apprehension, like "She approached the interview with "a little trepidation" because she hadn't prepared as much as she wanted."

What are some alternatives to "a little trepidation"?

Alternatives include "slight apprehension", "mild unease", or "some hesitation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little trepidation" or should I use another phrase?

It is perfectly correct to use "a little trepidation" to describe a mild feeling of apprehension. The appropriateness of the phrase depends on the context and the specific emotion you want to express.

What's the difference between "a little trepidation" and "extreme fear"?

"A little trepidation" implies a mild, controlled anxiety, whereas "extreme fear" suggests an overwhelming and potentially debilitating emotional response. The former is a slight worry, the latter is intense dread.