false apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

"false apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to an unfounded fear or worry. For example, "The false apprehension of failure kept him from pursuing his dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Its opposite, ajnana (also called avidya), is the false apprehension of reality that keeps the soul from attaining release; it is a form of mistaken knowledge, which has a large measure of validity as far as the realities of the present world are concerned but conceals the truth of a reality outside it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If a festival goer takes illicit drugs under the false apprehension that they are safe because they have been tested and those drugs then cause harm; that will be on this Government's head".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Free text clinical comments included apprehension regarding potential "false understanding" created by translation aids, a suggestion for incorporation of phonetic texts in the instrument, and an expression of dissatisfaction with the suggestion of acquiring language skills to accommodate non-English-speaking patients without their own interpreter.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Stapleton said there was some apprehension about a potential false-positive because a reliable test for the banned performance-enhancing hormone EPO has yet to be approved.

The New York Times - Sports

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) was once referred to as social phobia; however, the label of "phobia," and the inclusion of SAD among the subtypes of specific phobia, created the false impression that pathology based on social apprehension was less severe than other anxiety disorders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So far, Mr. Kelly said in an interview on Friday, the airline's return to the skies shows that such apprehensions appear to be "totally false".

The New York Times

Pain when examining can cause apprehension with subsequent tensing of the surrounding muscles; this can lead to a false negative result.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

In any case, however, and contrary to the apprehension that with increasing age the amount of non-specific labeling and false-positive marker expression might generally increase, we found a reduction in DCX expression and a reduction in marker overlap.

Plosone

But, Al-Bashir's rejection of the ICC was made public on several occasions, including firing off false accusations to the former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocando and to states such as Costa Rica who support the apprehension of war criminals.

Huffington Post

Local residents founded the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee under the chairmanship of George Lusk and offered a reward for the apprehension of the killer something the Metropolitan Police (under instruction from the Home Office) refused to do because it could lead to false or misleading information.

Wikipedia

Apprehension, mostly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "false apprehension", ensure the context clearly indicates that the apprehension is not based on reality or accurate information. This helps to distinguish it from genuine concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "false apprehension" to describe mild nervousness or slight unease. The phrase implies a stronger sense of fear or worry that is fundamentally unfounded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false apprehension" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of mind characterized by fear or worry based on incorrect information or perception, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "false apprehension" refers to an unfounded fear or worry, often based on misinformation or misperception. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not a very common phrase, it is primarily used in formal contexts such as encyclopedias, news, and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates that the apprehension lacks a basis in reality. Consider alternatives like "unfounded fear" or "baseless concern" for broader appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

groundless worry

Underscores that the worry has no basis in fact or reality.

unfounded fear

Highlights the lack of basis for the fear, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

baseless concern

Emphasizes the lack of foundation for the concern, suggesting it is unwarranted.

unjustified alarm

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the alarm or panic.

mistaken belief

Focuses on the incorrectness of the belief rather than the emotional component of apprehension.

illusory fear

Indicates the fear is not based in reality but is a product of illusion or misperception.

misconceived anxiety

Focuses on the anxiety being wrongly conceived or understood.

deceptive expectation

Highlights the misleading nature of the expectation, suggesting it is likely to be incorrect.

imagined threat

Highlights that the threat is only in the imagination, not a real danger.

fallacious anticipation

Indicates the anticipation is based on a fallacy or mistaken belief.

FAQs

How can I use "false apprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "false apprehension" to describe a fear or worry that is not based on reality. For example, "The company's stock price plummeted due to investors' "false apprehension" about upcoming regulations".

What is a good alternative to "false apprehension"?

Alternatives to "false apprehension" include "unfounded fear", "baseless concern", or "mistaken belief" depending on the specific context.

Is "false apprehension" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "false apprehension" is not as common as similar phrases like "unfounded fear". Its usage tends to be more formal or academic.

What's the difference between "false apprehension" and "anxiety"?

"Anxiety" is a general feeling of worry or unease, while "false apprehension" specifically refers to a fear or worry that is based on incorrect or nonexistent information. Thus, "false apprehension" is a type of anxiety rooted in misinformation.