a look of trepidation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a look of trepidation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a person's fearful look, such as when they are facing an intimidating situation. For example, "John entered the room with a look of trepidation, unsure of what he would find inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Habla español?" Santa asked Danielle Sanchez, 3, as she climbed into his lap with a look of trepidation.

The New York Times

A week later, with a look of trepidation the agency presented a single A3 sheet of paper with an image of a man staring straight at me with the words I wish my son had cancer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And with that, Peter announced the seemingly inevitable: his candidacy for the governor of Illinois, his good wife by his side as a look of triumph/resignation/trepidation/outright fear — readers?

The New York Times

"There's a lot of trepidation and uncertainty".

The New York Times - Science

"Those who are, are going with a lot of trepidation".

The New York Times

"And so we drove down, with a lot of trepidation," he said.

The New York Times

"There is a lot of trepidation with this new book.

Los Angeles Times

And in this environment, a lot of trepidation about cost.

Huffington Post

"I had a lot of trepidation," he says, despite the positive reports in the earlier literature.

Vice

I had I had a lot of trepidations about it.

University of California, Berkeley

High in a treetop he stopped, and, poking his head cautiously from behind a branch, looked down with an air of trepidation.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a look of trepidation" to vividly depict a character's internal state when they are facing something daunting or uncertain. This phrase adds depth and emotional resonance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a look of trepidation" in situations where simpler terms like "fear" or "worry" would suffice. Overusing formal language in everyday contexts can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a look of trepidation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence, or as a complement describing someone's emotional state. It specifically describes a facial expression that conveys fear and apprehension, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a look of trepidation" effectively conveys fear or apprehension, with Ludwig AI identifying it as grammatically correct and usable in written English. Though relatively rare, it is most often found in news and media contexts. When aiming to describe a character's emotional state, consider using this phrase to add depth and clarity to your writing. Remember to use it in contexts where a more formal expression is appropriate, as simpler alternatives may be more suitable for everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a look of anxiety

Directly replaces trepidation with a synonym, anxiety

a look of apprehension

Replaces trepidation with another formal synonym: apprehension

a look of unease

Substitutes trepidation with the more common feeling of unease

a face of fear

Focuses on fear, making it central to the expression

an apprehensive expression

Focuses on the visible display of apprehension through facial features.

a scared expression

Uses simpler language to convey the emotion of fear

a fearful gaze

Highlights the presence of fear in the way someone is looking.

a worried countenance

Emphasizes a facial expression that reflects worry.

a nervous glance

Implies a quick, anxious look around, suggesting unease.

a hesitant stare

Suggests a prolonged look marked by uncertainty or reluctance.

FAQs

How can I describe a fearful expression?

You can use phrases like "a look of anxiety", "a fearful gaze", or "an apprehensive expression" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a look of trepidation" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey a sense of fear or apprehension in a formal or literary context. It's suitable for describing characters facing daunting or uncertain situations.

What's the difference between "a look of trepidation" and "a look of fear"?

"A look of fear" is more general and can describe any expression of fright. "A look of trepidation" implies a more specific kind of fear, often mixed with hesitation or apprehension about something that is about to happen.

Which is a more common phrase, "a look of trepidation" or "a sense of trepidation"?

"A sense of trepidation" is more commonly used to describe an internal feeling, while "a look of trepidation" describes a visible expression. Both are correct but have slightly different applications.