a wave of apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety that affects a group of people or an individual. Example: "As the announcement was made, a wave of apprehension swept through the audience, leaving many in a state of uncertainty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That set off a wave of apprehension that the situation could spin out of control, enveloping Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and possibly even Jordan and Egypt in conflict.

The New York Times

In recent decade, a wave of apprehension swept across the Pearl of Oriental with regards to the disappearance of high value tangible and intangible heritages due to urban renewal and redevelopment.

Procedia Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A result was a wave of refugees.

The New York Times

They unleashed a wave of social mobility.

The Economist

Both rode a wave of fiscal conservativism.

The New York Times

A wave of bank failures broke late in 1930.

The Economist

A wave of guilt washed over me.

The New York Times

A wave of laudatory headlines follows.

The Economist

A wave of human agents?

Forbes

That prompted a wave of empathy.

BBC

A wave of acquisitions is likely.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of apprehension" to describe a shared or widespread feeling of anxiety, especially when a specific event or situation triggers it. This phrase is more impactful when the feeling is sudden and noticeable.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of apprehension" to describe individual or mild anxiety. This phrase suggests a strong, shared feeling. For personal anxiety, consider phrases like "a feeling of unease" or "a sense of worry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of apprehension" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes an overwhelming feeling. Ludwig's examples show its usage in describing collective feelings in response to events or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of apprehension" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that effectively communicates a shared, overwhelming feeling of anxiety or fear. Ludwig, as reported, confirms its validity and utility in describing such situations. While not as frequent as other phrases, its use is appropriate in news reporting, descriptive writing, and other contexts where conveying a strong sense of impending unease is desired. Ludwig's analysis and the variety of sources demonstrate its versatility and impact in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of anxiety

Replaces "wave" with "surge" to emphasize a sudden increase in anxiety.

a flood of unease

Substitutes "wave of apprehension" with "flood of unease" to convey an overwhelming feeling of discomfort.

a rising tide of fear

Uses "rising tide" instead of "wave" to suggest a gradual increase in fear.

a growing sense of dread

Replaces "apprehension" with "dread" to indicate a more intense and foreboding feeling.

a palpable atmosphere of anxiety

Changes the structure to emphasize the perceptible feeling of anxiety within an environment.

an undercurrent of concern

Uses "undercurrent" to suggest a hidden or underlying sense of worry.

a general feeling of unease

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the feeling of unease.

a strong premonition of disaster

Shifts the focus to a feeling that something bad is going to happen.

heightened state of alert

Indicates a state of increased vigilance and readiness for potential danger.

pervasive mood of uncertainty

Focuses on the widespread feeling of not knowing what to expect.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of apprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of apprehension" to describe a sudden, shared feeling of anxiety or fear, such as, "A wave of apprehension swept through the crowd as the storm approached".

What are some alternatives to "a wave of apprehension"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a wave of apprehension" include phrases like "a surge of anxiety", "a flood of unease", or "a rising tide of fear".

Is "a wave of apprehension" suitable for describing personal feelings?

While "a wave of apprehension" can describe personal feelings, it's more effective when describing a shared or widespread sense of anxiety. For individual feelings, consider "a feeling of unease" or "a sense of worry".

What's the difference between "a wave of apprehension" and "a feeling of apprehension"?

"A wave of apprehension" suggests a sudden and collective experience of anxiety, whereas "a feeling of apprehension" is a more general and potentially individual sense of unease about something that might happen.