apprehensive that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apprehensive that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing concern or anxiety about a specific situation or outcome. Example: "She was apprehensive that the project would not meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Southern-backed filibusters, including Narciso López, had failed repeatedly to overthrow the colonial government despite considerable support among the Cuban people for independence, and a series of reforms on the island made Southerners apprehensive that slavery would be abolished.

Wikipedia

"I am very apprehensive that the matter will become public and turn into worldwide scandal".

The New York Times - Magazine

Jewish Israelis remain exceedingly apprehensive that the Zionist enterprise has not been completed.

The New York Times

The CIA was apprehensive that Pakistani intelligence cooperation against other militant groups would be undermined.

The Washington Post

The dogs' owners ambled, too, seemingly never apprehensive that their canine companions might bolt.

The New York Times - Travel

My own mother was very apprehensive that first time 23 years ago.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are also apprehensive that to challenge the electoral college might delegitimise him as leader.

The Guardian - Opinion

Insurers are apprehensive that some of their new customers, having been uninsured for years, will have costly existing conditions.

The New York Times

Now, driving through the gates, I was apprehensive that the scars of another conflict might have fractured a fragile revival.

Independent

Western officials are apprehensive that a security vacuum might be filled by the al-Qaeda linked Jabhat al-Nusra.

Independent

I knew lots of people who were apprehensive that the suffering would turn out to be worthless.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "apprehensive that" with synonyms like "worried that" or "concerned that" to diversify your writing and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "apprehensive that" repeatedly within a short span of text. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, mix in synonyms or rephrase sentences to convey similar meanings in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apprehensive that" functions as a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause expressing the content of someone's apprehension. It typically connects a subject's feeling of anxiety or worry to the specific situation or outcome they are concerned about. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

25%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apprehensive that" is a correct and commonly used phrase to express worry or unease about a potential future event. It's prevalent in news, academic, and scientific writing. When using the phrase, remember to provide a clear context to specify the cause of the apprehension. While acceptable across various registers, Ludwig AI suggests diversifying your writing by using synonyms like "worried that" or "concerned that" to maintain reader engagement. Avoid overuse to keep your writing fresh and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worried that

Expresses concern, similar to "apprehensive that", but can imply a lighter degree of anxiety.

concerned that

Similar to "apprehensive that", indicating worry or interest in a situation.

anxious that

Indicates a state of worry and unease, closely aligned with "apprehensive that".

fearful that

Emphasizes a stronger sense of dread or fright compared to "apprehensive that".

uneasy that

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or restlessness, similar to mild apprehension.

nervous that

Describes a state of agitation or heightened anticipation, like being "apprehensive that".

afraid that

Directly states a feeling of fear or worry about a potential outcome.

have concerns that

Formal way to express worries about possible future events.

with trepidation that

Suggests a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen, a level deeper in anxiety than being "apprehensive that".

have misgivings that

Expresses feelings of doubt or apprehension about the implications or consequences of an action.

FAQs

What does "apprehensive that" mean?

"Apprehensive that" means feeling anxious or fearful about something that might happen. It indicates a sense of worry or unease about a potential future event or outcome.

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

You can use "apprehensive that" to express concern about a situation. For example, "I'm "apprehensive that" the project won't be completed on time".

What can I say instead of "apprehensive that"?

You can use alternatives like "worried that", "concerned that", or "anxious that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "apprehensive that" or "anxious that"?

Both "apprehensive that" and "anxious that" convey a sense of worry, but "apprehensive" often implies a more specific concern about a potential future event, while "anxious" can refer to a more general state of unease.