become apprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become apprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a shift in someone's feelings or mindset towards anxiety or concern about a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, she began to become apprehensive about the project's outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Shoppers become apprehensive if they think even one company is changing the rules.

The New York Times - Tech

Krone knew she had become apprehensive on the racetrack, a result of her many accidents.

The New York Times - Sports

"What you don't know in life, you automatically fear, you become apprehensive of," he said last week.

The New York Times

I've traveled so many places in the last two decades that every time I board a new airline, I become apprehensive.

The New York Times

Only now did she become apprehensive, wondering what she was doing here, nine thousand miles away from home, at a hospital that she knew almost nothing about.

The New Yorker

Mr House claimed that friends of Private Manning have become apprehensive of speaking up for him because of systematic harassment by law enforcement agencies.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This time, Nini became apprehensive.

The New York Times

Having seen Meerkat sign up over 100,000 users since going live in late February, Twitter suddenly became apprehensive.

The Economist

Unfortunately, on the evening of Sept. 10h Hindman became apprehensive that he was about to be attacked by unseen federals at his rear.

The New York Times

There were too many tweets to read their whole timelines, so they became apprehensive about injecting more.

TechCrunch

The reduction in workrate was caused by two factors: Ward was so accurate and so hurtful that Froch was preoccupied with defensive measures; and when he did get set, Froch was made to miss so often that he became apprehensive in attack.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become apprehensive" to describe a gradual shift towards feeling anxious or fearful, often in response to a specific situation or event.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "become apprehensive" might sound slightly less sophisticated in very formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "grow concerned" or "develop reservations" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become apprehensive" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in emotional state. It describes the process of transitioning into a state of anxiety or unease. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become apprehensive" is a commonly used verb phrase that accurately describes the transition into a state of anxiety or unease. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While appropriate for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news, media, and scientific sources. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "grow concerned". The phrase is suitable for describing a gradual shift in someone's feelings, and its prevalence in authoritative sources suggests it's a reliable choice for expressing this emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel anxious

Highlights the sensation of being anxious.

start feeling uneasy

Emphasizes both the beginning and the feeling of unease.

grow anxious

Emphasizes the gradual increase in anxiety.

turn uneasy

Suggests a shift toward a state of discomfort and uncertainty.

get nervous

Similar to feeling anxious, but with a sense of heightened energy.

start to worry

Focuses on the beginning of a worried state.

grow fearful

Implies a gradual increase in fear, often related to specific events.

get worried

A more casual way of expressing the onset of worry.

begin to fear

Highlights the emergence of fear.

develop concerns

Focuses on the gradual accumulation of worries.

FAQs

What does "become apprehensive" mean?

The phrase "become apprehensive" means to start feeling anxious, uneasy, or fearful about something. It implies a gradual development of concern or worry.

What can I say instead of "become apprehensive"?

You can use alternatives like "grow anxious", "start to worry", or "feel uneasy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "become apprehensive" in a sentence?

You can use "become apprehensive" to describe a gradual shift in someone's feelings. For example: "As the deadline approached, she began to become apprehensive about the project's outcome."

Is "become apprehensive" formal or informal?

The phrase "become apprehensive" is generally considered neutral in register and is suitable for a variety of contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for alternatives like "grow concerned".