great trepidation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great trepidation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety about something that is about to happen. Example: "She approached the stage with great trepidation, unsure of how the audience would react to her performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Gas is self-served with great trepidation.

The New York Times

I have great trepidation when they say it's not going to cost the towns anything".

The New York Times

"It was with great trepidation that we went into this," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

He added: "Mostly, I have great trepidation about where we go after this.

The New York Times

IT was with great trepidation that I approached 3307 N Street in Washington on Nov. 10, 1960.

The New York Times

We sat together quietly and with great trepidation — my parents, my little brother, and I — trying not to behave "colored".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Perhaps only the work of the Hungarian director Béla Tarr is viewed (or not, in most cases) with greater trepidation.

The Guardian - Books

China has no choice now but to maintain a larger presence; talks with the Dalai Lama are indefinitely put on hold; there is greater trepidation about allowing Western media access; and a successful Olympics "coming-out party" has been placed in a much more precarious position.

Huffington Post

As the uprising escalated, prompting greater trepidation within the ruling faction, Mousavi quickly distanced himself from the millions in the streets, saying in a statement, "With regards to the Ashura ceremonies, despite countless requests, neither Mehdi Karroubi, nor Mohammad Khatami nor I or my friends issued a statement".[18].[18]

Huffington Post

Even the agencies that monitor them will not issue official population estimates and will venture unofficial counts only with the greatest of trepidation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was a great deal of trepidation.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great trepidation" to add gravitas to a situation where fear or anxiety significantly influences a character's actions or decisions. It's more impactful than simply stating someone is "nervous" or "worried".

Common error

While "great trepidation" is acceptable in news and media, overuse in informal contexts might sound unnatural. Ensure your tone matches the phrase's inherent formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great trepidation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. It describes a state of mind characterized by significant fear, anxiety, or apprehension, and Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great trepidation" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express a significant degree of fear, anxiety, or apprehension. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, and to a lesser extent in scientific publications. While it's a strong and descriptive phrase, it's best to consider context when choosing an alternative such as "deep apprehension" or "considerable anxiety".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep apprehension

Focuses on the intellectual anticipation of something negative, rather than raw fear.

considerable anxiety

Emphasizes the mental and emotional distress experienced.

intense dread

Highlights a feeling of impending doom or intense aversion.

profound unease

Suggests a deep-seated feeling of discomfort and disquiet.

marked apprehension

Highlights the noticeable or significant nature of the anxious feeling.

extreme worry

Focuses on the mental preoccupation with potential negative outcomes.

significant fear

Directly addresses the element of fear involved.

acute anxiety

Emphasizes the sharpness and intensity of the anxiety.

serious misgivings

Focuses on doubts and concerns about a future event or decision.

grave concern

Highlights the seriousness and significance of the worry.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "great trepidation" in a sentence?

The phrase "great trepidation" is used to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety about something that is going to happen. For instance, you might say, "She approached the interview with "great trepidation", unsure of her qualifications".

What's a more straightforward way to express "great trepidation"?

If you want to convey a similar meaning with simpler words, consider using phrases like "deep apprehension", "significant anxiety", or "extreme worry".

Is there a subtle difference between "great trepidation" and "slight hesitation"?

"Great trepidation" suggests a strong feeling of fear and anxiety, while "slight hesitation" implies a brief pause or reluctance. The former is much more intense than the latter.

When would "great trepidation" be a better choice than "intense excitement"?

"Great trepidation" is appropriate when someone is facing a situation with fear or worry. In contrast, "intense excitement" is used to describe anticipation and enthusiasm for a positive event.