apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'apprehension' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of fear or unease, such as when someone is awaiting the results of a test. For example, "John felt a deep apprehension as he waited for the test results to be released."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With some apprehension, I arrived at St John's College Oxford one night last week to take part in its sexual consent workshop, curious to see what actually happened behind closed doors.

The Guardian

And so, with apprehension, they had a look.

The Guardian - Tech

"I am advised it was worse in apprehension than it was in reality," he said.

The Guardian

Kudos to Hawley and his foul mouth: his soundtrack perfectly married the archive clips as we were led seamlessly through seduction, apprehension, jealousy, innocence, frustration, sex, rejection, comfort, elation and heartbreak.

The Guardian

Widespread relief at Grayling's departure has been tempered by apprehension that Gove will treat lawyers in the same way as he treated teachers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Explosions ripped across Belfast Lough on Sunday afternoon, creating vibrations in the air and apprehension on the faces of some of those who had gathered to watch the battle.

The Guardian

The home crowd was not stricken by apprehension but neither had they been entertained.

The Guardian - Sport

"We should be transparent so that there will be no apprehension about what the police are doing," he said.

The Guardian

Any apprehension I might have felt about revisiting familiar territory has been dispelled by lqbal's passion for a particular aspect of Miller's writing: its unpredictability.

The Guardian

Knowing this, you can understand my apprehension about Obama's decision.

The Guardian

Then, with apprehension, I had a look.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apprehension" to convey a sense of unease or fear about a future event, especially when the event is not definitively negative but carries a risk of being so. It adds a layer of thoughtful consideration to the anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "apprehension" when you mean "comprehension", which refers to understanding something. "Apprehension" is about fear or unease, not intellect.

Linguistic Context

The noun "apprehension" functions primarily to denote a state of anxiety or fear about a future event, or, less commonly, to refer to the act of seizing or understanding something. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing feelings of unease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apprehension" is a versatile noun that primarily conveys a sense of anxiety or fear about a future event. While technically correct in other uses (like understanding or seizing), it's most impactful when expressing unease. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread occurrence, particularly in news and media contexts. To enhance your writing, use "apprehension" when you want to highlight a thoughtful sense of unease about what's to come, but be careful not to confuse it with "comprehension". Related terms like "anxiety", "unease", and "dread" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific emotion you aim to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxiety

Focuses specifically on the feeling of worry and nervousness.

unease

Highlights a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

dread

Emphasizes a strong feeling of fear or aversion to something impending.

misgiving

Suggests a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome of something.

worry

Implies a state of concern and anxiety over actual or potential problems.

alarm

Highlights a sudden awareness of danger or a problem.

perception

Emphasizes the act of becoming aware of something through the senses.

understanding

Stresses the cognitive aspect of grasping an idea or situation.

seizure

Focuses on the physical act of taking hold of someone or something.

arrest

Refers specifically to the legal process of taking someone into custody.

FAQs

How is "apprehension" typically used in a sentence?

The word "apprehension" is often used to describe a feeling of anxiety or fear about something that might happen in the future. For example, "She felt a sense of apprehension before the job interview".

What are some synonyms for "apprehension" that I can use to diversify my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "anxiety", "unease", "dread", or "misgiving".

Is it correct to use "apprehension" to describe understanding something?

While "apprehension" can technically refer to understanding, it is more commonly used to describe fear or anxiety. For understanding, it's better to use words like "comprehension" or "understanding".

What's the difference between "apprehension" and "fear"?

"Apprehension" often implies a more anticipatory and less immediate fear than "fear" does. "Fear" is a direct response to a perceived threat, while "apprehension" is a premonition or unease about something that might happen.