apprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "apprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling of being worried or uneasy about something that may happen in the future. For example: "I am apprehensive about taking my final exam tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then Ray Davies talked about being lonely, and taxi lights shining bright in the busy city, and it made me even more apprehensive about this dizzy, busy place.

The Guardian - Music

In Tim Pigott-Smith's superb performance, he became a man who seemed uneasy in his own skin, apprehensive about the burden of monarchy and yet deeply and steadfastly principled.

The Guardian

Siân was "apprehensive" before watching the film but from "the moment the credits started to roll, we were enthralled, we were bang! back into it…" Jessica Gunning's performance, she enthuses, is phenomenal.

The Guardian - Film

This time, he says, "the staff were not the slightest apprehensive about the inspection".

The Guardian

She's nervous, apprehensive, unfamiliar with it all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His wife, Azizah Ismail, said: "I feel apprehensive because my husband … is not that well.

The Guardian

Mumbaikars are excited, but also apprehensive: opportunities like this have been hijacked and squandered in the past.

The Guardian

"Of course I was apprehensive, I'd never had the big career in the game so I didn't have that protection – I'd come through the hard way, coaching kids on the field, working my way through, and now people had granted me the opportunity.

The Guardian - Sport

It was invented by a corporate torturer to make men feel apprehensive when packing for office away-days.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And then we were alone, unsupervised and not a little apprehensive.

The Guardian - Travel

"Parents are apprehensive or conflicted and don't know what to do".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apprehensive", ensure the context clearly indicates what the apprehension is directed towards. Explicitly stating the source of the feeling enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation. For example, "apprehensive about the upcoming changes".

Common error

Avoid using "apprehensive" when a stronger emotion like "terrified" or "horrified" is more appropriate. "Apprehensive" suggests mild unease, and overusing it can dilute the emotional impact of your writing. Reserve "apprehensive" for situations where there's a sense of foreboding rather than outright panic or fear.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "apprehensive" primarily functions to describe a state of mind characterized by anxiety, fear, or unease about future events or uncertainties. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correctly used in written English to denote worry about something that may occur. Many examples illustrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apprehensive" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of anxiety or unease, particularly about future events. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's widely used across various contexts, as demonstrated by its high frequency in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "anxious" and "worried" exist, "apprehensive" offers a nuanced way to express concern, emphasizing anticipation and potential negative outcomes. The expert rating confirms its reliability and appropriate application, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious

Focuses more on a general state of worry or nervousness.

worried

Emphasizes a feeling of concern about a specific issue or event.

uneasy

Suggests a lack of comfort or a feeling of disquiet.

fearful

Highlights a sense of dread or intense worry.

concerned

Implies a more thoughtful or considerate worry.

nervous

Indicates a state of agitation or heightened anticipation.

scared

Emphasizes a feeling of fright or alarm.

afraid

Suggests a general sense of fear or apprehension.

unsettled

Describes a feeling of being disturbed or lacking peace of mind.

disquieted

Highlights a sense of worry and anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "apprehensive" in a sentence?

"Apprehensive" is used to describe feeling anxious or fearful about something that might happen. For example, "I am apprehensive about the results of the exam" or "She was apprehensive about traveling alone".

What words are similar to "apprehensive"?

Alternatives to "apprehensive" include "anxious", "worried", "uneasy", and "fearful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am apprehensive to do something"?

While understandable, it's more common to say "I am apprehensive about doing something" or "I am apprehensive of something". Using "about" or "of" connects the feeling of apprehension to its cause.

What's the difference between "apprehensive" and "nervous"?

"Apprehensive" often implies a specific, anticipated event causing the anxiety, while "nervous" can be a more general state of unease. You might be "nervous" before a presentation but "apprehensive" about the potential consequences of failing the exam.