be apprehensive that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be 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: "You should be apprehensive that the project may not meet the deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If we used American actors, I would be apprehensive that people would say, 'Oh, you have to be American to do that.' " (A New York audience may take a few moments to adjust to the cast's accents; van Hove called for them to be generically American rather than specific to Brooklyn. "It is not a historically accurate production," he told me).

The New Yorker

"I look forward to a situation where when the phone rings, I won't be apprehensive that it's some problem I have to deal with: some crisis -- maybe that somebody else has done something stupid that I have to deal with, or in the worst case, something stupid I've done that I have to deal with".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

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

Users were apprehensive that the new terms of service meant that data on their favorite things would be shared with Facebook and its advertisers.

The New York Times - Tech

Ms. Hopkins said she and people she knew were apprehensive that the laboratory would be upgraded to Level 4. "We don't want Biosafety Level 4," she said.

The New York Times

Patrick White, the United States coach, was apprehensive that the off-field relationship between the countries could influence the game, part of a tournament of community-based teams in New York City that play to represent their heritage and culture.

The New York Times

"I'm glad I have this opportunity to try something new that may be beneficial," Jonathan said, "but I'm apprehensive that the material won't correlate with what is taught in school.

The New York Times

"At that first Mozart rehearsal," he said, "I was apprehensive that I would ask for a certain thing and someone would come up and say: 'Maestro, I've actually written my doctoral dissertation on that grace note.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be apprehensive that" to express a specific concern or anxiety about a potential future event or situation. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what you are worried about.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be apprehensive that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be worried that" or "be concerned that" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be apprehensive that" functions as a stative verb phrase expressing a state of anxiety or worry regarding a subsequent clause. The use of "that" introduces a subordinate clause specifying the object of apprehension. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be apprehensive that" is a grammatically sound way to express feelings of anxiety or worry about a potential outcome, as verified by Ludwig. While versatile, it's more common in news and science contexts and may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "be worried that" or "be concerned that" for informal settings. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in expressing concerns about potential negative consequences or uncertain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be concerned that

Emphasizes a feeling of worry or unease.

be worried that

Directly expresses a state of worry about something.

fear that

Conveys a strong feeling of dread or anxiety.

have concerns that

Highlights the presence of specific worries.

be anxious that

Indicates a state of unease and nervousness.

be uneasy that

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or lack of ease.

dread that

Expresses strong aversion and fear of a future event.

be skeptical that

Implies doubt and uncertainty about a claim or situation.

suspect that

Indicates a belief that something is likely to be true, often with negative implications.

have a feeling that

Suggests an intuitive sense of something, often negative.

FAQs

What does "be apprehensive that" mean?

The phrase "be apprehensive that" means to feel anxious or worried about something that might happen in the future.

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

You can use "be apprehensive that" to express your worries or concerns about a specific situation. For instance, "I "am apprehensive that" the project may not meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "be apprehensive that"?

Alternatives to "be apprehensive that" include "be concerned that", "be worried that", or "fear that".

Is "be apprehensive that" formal or informal?

"Be apprehensive that" is generally considered more formal. In less formal settings, consider using "be concerned that" or "be worried that".