grave apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep or serious concern about a situation or event. Example: "The community was filled with grave apprehension as the storm approached, fearing the worst for their homes and families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But an inkling of how the group might respond can be found in the July 2007 statements of Michael McConnell, America's director of national intelligence, expressing grave apprehension about Hezbollah sleeper cells in the United States that could go into action should the Americans cross the organization's "red line".

The New York Times

With this grave apprehension in mind, the 16 states -- namely, Georgia, Montana, Missouri, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington -- have taken action to create their own state currency.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The auction lot, estimated at $8,000 to $10,000, contains government orders authorizing Mrs. Lincoln's institutionalization, a doctor's letter expressing "grave apprehensions" about her condition, an admissions book listing her as patient No. 208, and a poorly spelled fan letter advising her to escape and "speak out planely".

The New York Times - Arts

Writing on immigrants from southern Italy, Hungary, Austria, and Russia in The Atlantic, Walker claimed, "The entrance into our political, social, and industrial life of such vast masses of peasantry, degraded below our utmost conceptions, is a matter which no intelligent patriot can look upon without the gravest apprehension and alarm.

Wikipedia

In 1881 his suspicion that a royal tomb had been discovered by grave robbers led to the apprehension of a thief who revealed a tomb secreted in a cliff near Dayr al-Baḥrī.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet somehow, African America remains true to itself, waging justice in the face of this nation's grave shortcomings, and our own apprehensions no less, declaring that we will find a way to live together in this rainbow nation and world and not perish together as fools.

Huffington Post

Apprehension, mostly.

The Guardian - Sport

But apprehension shadowed celebration.

The New York Times - Sports

She felt apprehension.

The New Yorker

It also reflected apprehension.

The Economist

Noel sensed the apprehension.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave apprehension" to convey a serious and significant feeling of worry or concern about a particular situation or event. It is suitable for formal writing and speech where a strong impact is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "grave apprehension" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it may sound overly dramatic or out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "serious worry" or "deep concern" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave apprehension" functions as a noun phrase where "grave" modifies the noun "apprehension", intensifying the feeling of worry or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave apprehension" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a serious and significant feeling of worry or concern. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, although its formal tone makes it more suitable for news, media, and professional contexts rather than casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "deep concern" or "serious worry" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. While not frequently used, it effectively conveys a high degree of concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep concern

Replaces the adjective 'grave' with 'deep', indicating a significant level of worry.

serious worry

Substitutes 'apprehension' with 'worry', conveying a more common and direct expression of concern.

profound anxiety

Uses 'profound' and 'anxiety' to emphasize a more intense and deeply felt sense of unease.

acute unease

Replaces 'apprehension' with 'unease' and 'grave' with 'acute', suggesting a sharp and immediate sense of discomfort or anxiety.

intense disquiet

Employs 'intense' and 'disquiet' to denote a strong feeling of worry and disturbance.

great trepidation

Uses 'trepidation', indicating a fear of what might happen, often used in more formal contexts.

palpable fear

Substitutes 'apprehension' with 'fear' and 'grave' with 'palpable', emphasizing the obviousness and intensity of the fear.

mounting anxiety

Uses 'mounting' to suggest an increasing level of anxiety or worry.

considerable misgiving

Replaces 'apprehension' with 'misgiving', suggesting doubts or worries about a future event or action.

serious reservations

Expresses a similar sentiment using 'reservations', indicating doubts or hesitations about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave apprehension" to express serious worry or concern. For example, "The community felt "grave apprehension" as the hurricane approached."

What's a simpler way to say "grave apprehension"?

Alternatives include "deep concern", "serious worry", or "profound anxiety", depending on the level of formality you need.

Is "grave apprehension" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "grave apprehension" is quite formal. In most everyday conversations, phrases like "deep concern" or "serious worry" would be more appropriate.

What situations warrant the use of "grave apprehension"?

"Grave apprehension" is best suited for situations where the level of concern is genuinely significant, such as discussing potential international conflicts, serious economic downturns, or major public health crises.