felt apprehensive about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt apprehensive about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of unease or worry regarding a specific situation or outcome. Example: "She felt apprehensive about the upcoming exam, fearing she hadn't studied enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He said that he felt "apprehensive" about the move.

The New Yorker

A class of 2007 graduate, a friend of mine, actually felt apprehensive about telling friends from the school that he had joined the Marines.

The New York Times

We felt apprehensive about living in a landscape without vertical dimension: neither of us is fond of the legato drone of the flat Midwest.

The New York Times - Travel

The new version was much funnier, thanks to panelists such as Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers, famous for their double entendre-laden banter in completing sentences like: ""Mary felt apprehensive about her wedding night because she discovered her BLANK was missing".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She said she felt apprehensive about the walkout: "I didn't ever expect to ever be doing this in my whole working life.

BBC

Some felt apprehensive about teaching evolution or a need to accommodate religion because of perceived controversy: - I don't even feel, I suppose I'd be a bit of an atheist anyway, but I don't know that I would feel comfortable teaching something like evolution in the classroom because you're not sure how to be middle of the road without putting your point of view across.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Maybe that's why they feel apprehensive about getting involved".

The Guardian

So why should anyone feel apprehensive about the fact that India's next prime minister, Narendra Modi, is a Hindu nationalist?

The Economist

At the same time it's hard not to feel apprehensive about the digital revolution, given what's happening to film.

The New York Times

Gardeners who feel apprehensive about squashing their new purchases can consult the foot-shaped tag that comes with each plant, indicating how often it can be walked on.

The New York Times

It's impossible not to feel apprehensive about seeing Crosby, Stills & Nash, the group who seemed to epitomise the insatiable, sunshine optimism of the late 60s counter-culture, as they head into their dotage in 2013.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "felt apprehensive about", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or reason for the apprehension. This helps the reader understand the specific cause of the unease.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "really felt apprehensive" or "very felt apprehensive". The word "apprehensive" already implies a strong feeling, so adding intensifiers can sound redundant. Instead, focus on providing context for why the apprehension exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt apprehensive about" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of unease or anxiety concerning a particular situation. Ludwig showcases numerous examples where individuals or groups experience this feeling in response to various events, decisions, or circumstances, indicating its role in conveying subjective emotional states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt apprehensive about" is a grammatically sound and common way to express unease or anxiety regarding a specific situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "felt anxious about" or "felt concerned about" exist, "felt apprehensive about" specifically highlights a sense of foreboding related to a potential negative outcome. When using this phrase, it's best to provide clear context for the source of apprehension to enhance clarity and avoid redundancy by over-intensifying the feeling. Ludwig's examples provide ample illustrations of its usage in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was anxious concerning

Uses "anxious" instead of "apprehensive", shifting the focus slightly to worry. "Concerning" is more formal than "about".

had worries regarding

Employs "worries" to denote apprehension. The term "regarding" introduces a formal tone.

experienced concern over

Replaces "apprehensive" with "concern", and "about" with "over", suggesting a lighter degree of unease.

was uneasy respecting

Uses "uneasy" to express a mild form of worry. "Respecting" is formal and less common than "about".

had misgivings with regard to

Expresses stronger doubts and hesitations than simple apprehension. The phrase "with regard to" is quite formal.

felt some trepidation regarding

Uses "trepidation", a more intense form of fear or apprehension. "Regarding" adds a formal touch.

was unenthusiastic about

Indicates a lack of excitement or willingness, rather than direct apprehension.

had reservations concerning

Expresses doubts or hesitations. "Concerning" is more formal and focused.

felt doubtful toward

Shifts the focus to doubt rather than apprehension, suggesting a lack of confidence.

was hesitant about

Emphasizes reluctance or unwillingness more than underlying apprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "felt apprehensive about" in a sentence?

You can use "felt apprehensive about" to describe a feeling of unease or anxiety regarding a future event or situation. For example, "She "felt apprehensive about" the upcoming surgery".

What are some alternatives to "felt apprehensive about"?

Some alternatives include "felt anxious about", "felt concerned about", or "felt uneasy about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "felt apprehensive about" or "was apprehensive about"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Felt apprehensive about" emphasizes the subjective experience of apprehension, while "was apprehensive about" is a more general statement of being in a state of apprehension. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "felt apprehensive about" and "felt nervous about"?

"Felt apprehensive about" suggests a more specific and reasoned anxiety about something, while "felt nervous about" can imply a more general and unfocused anxiety or excitement. Apprehension often stems from a perceived potential negative outcome.