apprehensive about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apprehensive about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing feelings of anxiety or unease regarding a specific situation or outcome. Example: "She felt apprehensive about the upcoming exam, worried that she hadn't studied enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Were you apprehensive about meeting Messier?

The New York Times

Eric was apprehensive about the whole idea.

The New Yorker

"I was apprehensive about it," she said.

The New York Times

He was apprehensive about the premiere.

The New York Times - Style

She was deeply apprehensive about the cold.

The New York Times

"I was a bit apprehensive about that.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone is apprehensive about the I.R.S.

The New York Times

I am always apprehensive about the future.

The Guardian - Money

The Audubo Society is apprehensive about the beacons.

The New Yorker

But I was apprehensive about the show on Broadway.

The New York Times

Evert also acknowledged that she was apprehensive about Richards.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apprehensive about", ensure the object of your apprehension is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "I'm apprehensive", specify "I'm apprehensive about the upcoming presentation".

Common error

Avoid using "apprehensive about" with vague pronouns like 'it' or 'that' without clear context. Always clarify what 'it' refers to. For example, instead of "I'm apprehensive about it", specify "I'm apprehensive about the new policy" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "apprehensive about" is to act as an adjectival phrase describing a state of anxiety or unease. This is shown by Ludwig, where "apprehensive about" modifies a subject, indicating their feelings towards a particular situation or event. For example, "I am apprehensive about the future."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apprehensive about" is a commonly used phrase to express feelings of anxiety or unease. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it functions as an adjectival phrase. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, clarify the object of your apprehension to avoid vagueness. For alternative expressions, consider "anxious about", "concerned about", or "uneasy about". This phrase holds a neutral tone suitable for a variety of communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious about

Direct synonym, expressing a similar state of worry or nervousness.

concerned about

Indicates a level of worry or interest, slightly milder than "apprehensive".

uneasy about

Emphasizes a feeling of discomfort or lack of ease.

worried about

A common and direct way to express concern.

fearful of

Highlights a stronger sense of dread or fear.

nervous about

Focuses on the feeling of agitation or heightened sensitivity.

scared of

Emphasizes a feeling of fright or alarm.

hesitant about

Indicates a reluctance or unwillingness due to uncertainty or doubt.

doubtful about

Expresses uncertainty or skepticism regarding a situation or outcome.

unsure about

Highlights a lack of certainty or confidence.

FAQs

What does "apprehensive about" mean?

"Apprehensive about" means feeling anxious, worried, or uneasy about something that might happen or that you are going to do. It suggests a degree of fear or concern.

How can I use "apprehensive about" in a sentence?

You can use "apprehensive about" to describe your feelings toward a future event or situation. For example, "I am "apprehensive about" the job interview" or "She was "apprehensive about" traveling alone".

What can I say instead of "apprehensive about"?

You can use alternatives like "anxious about", "concerned about", "uneasy about", or "worried about" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "apprehensive about" or "apprehensive of"?

While both "apprehensive about" and "apprehensive of" can be used, ""apprehensive about"" is the more common and generally preferred usage in modern English. "Apprehensive of" is less frequent but still grammatically acceptable.