Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
be apprehension about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "be apprehension about" is not correct in English.
You might be trying to express a feeling of concern or anxiety regarding something. Example: "There seems to be apprehension about the upcoming changes in the company."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
There will be apprehension about the threat posed by any aircraft that defies the no-fly zone.
News & Media
Users seemed uncomfortable with the fact that iPhones used to maintain a location database to help with location triangulation, for instance, so there would likely be apprehension about such an extensive logging tool, even if designed as a user-accessible feature like the patent described in this system.
News & Media
Could there be apprehension about sparkly classrooms, tall teachers, and soaring, proud parents with sky-high expectations?
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
And there is apprehension about where this Administration will try to take our society.
News & Media
She receives more than 1,000 letters a day, and last month she noticed that in one out of every four or five, there was apprehension about jobs.
News & Media
There is apprehension about the terms of the Egypt-Israel agreement which calls for 200 American civilian technicians to monitor military movements on both sides of the UN zone.
News & Media
Ford, Chrysler and G.M. have all become increasingly dependent on sales of light trucks for their survival and, in a year when overall industry sales are expected to shrink, there is apprehension about tougher regulation.
News & Media
Concerns about their current weight in general were clearly an important factor affecting individual's apprehension about weight gain associated with smoking cessation.
Science
But he acknowledges there is apprehension to be overcome about committing clinical judgments to print.
News & Media
"Things in good locations, cream puff locations, still receive multiple offers even though there is apprehension in the market about layoffs and the economy," says Ms. Reeves, whose company is based in Parsippany.
News & Media
However, there has been apprehension for some time about the value and place of child and developmental psychology in early childhood education.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming to express concern or worry, it's more grammatically sound to use phrases like "be anxious about", "have concerns about", or "feel apprehensive about" instead of "be apprehension about".
Common error
Avoid using "apprehension" (a noun) in place of "apprehensive" (an adjective). Instead of saying "there be apprehension about", use "be apprehensive about" or rephrase to "there is apprehension about".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be apprehension about" is grammatically incorrect. "Apprehension" is a noun, so it needs a linking verb such as "is" or "was" to connect it to a subject. It should typically be used with a form of "to be" followed by an adjective like "apprehensive" instead. Ludwig AI flags this as incorrect.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
7%
Reference
7%
Social Media
6%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "be apprehension about" appears in some contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, "apprehension" is a noun and needs a linking verb and often works better with the adjective form "apprehensive". To express a similar sentiment, consider using "be apprehensive about", "have concerns about", or "feel anxious about". These alternatives provide clarity and grammatical correctness, ensuring your message is effectively communicated. The contexts where this phrase appears range from news and media to scientific articles, but it's crucial to prioritize grammatical accuracy for effective communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
feel apprehensive about
Replaces "be" with "feel", focusing on the internal experience of apprehension.
have apprehension regarding
Substitutes "about" with "regarding", offering a slightly more formal tone.
be anxious about
Replaces "apprehension" with "anxious", providing a simpler and more direct expression of worry.
have concerns about
Substitutes "apprehension" with "concerns", indicating a more general level of worry.
be worried about
Replaces "apprehension" with "worried", offering a straightforward expression of concern.
express unease about
Uses "express unease" instead of "be apprehension", highlighting the outward display of worry.
be uneasy about
Replaces "apprehension" with "uneasy", suggesting a mild form of anxiety.
harbor misgivings about
Uses "harbor misgivings" to convey a sense of quiet or suppressed apprehension.
be skeptical about
Replaces "apprehension" with "skeptical", implying a doubt-filled anticipation.
have reservations about
Substitutes "apprehension" with "reservations", suggesting a cautious or hesitant attitude.
FAQs
How can I use "apprehension" correctly in a sentence?
Use "apprehension" as a noun. For example, "There is considerable apprehension about the new policy". To express feeling worried, use "apprehensive" as an adjective, such as "I am "apprehensive about" the upcoming changes".
What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "be apprehension about"?
Instead of "be apprehension about", use phrases such as "be apprehensive about", "have concerns about", or "feel anxious about" to express worry or concern.
Is it correct to say "there be apprehension"?
No, it's not grammatically correct. A better construction would be "there is apprehension" or "there was apprehension", depending on the context. To express that someone feels this apprehension, use "be apprehensive".
What is the difference between "apprehension about" and "apprehensive about"?
"Apprehension" is a noun referring to anxiety or fear about something, while "apprehensive" is an adjective describing the feeling of anxiety. Therefore, you can say "There is apprehension about the future", or "I am "apprehensive about" the test".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested