grew apprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew apprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a character who began to feel anxious or worried. For example: As the storm approached, the young boy grew apprehensive about his safety.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Her smile disappeared, and her face grew apprehensive.

The New York Times - Arts

For the first time, she grew apprehensive about making the annual pilgrimage to Elko.

Vice

[I]n the interview, Mr. Lieberman said that he grew apprehensive when a formal proposal began to take shape.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Cherne had grown apprehensive after the revolution.

The New Yorker

Immigrants have grown apprehensive about calling local law enforcement agencies if they know the Border Patrol will respond, he said.

The New York Times

There is evidence that the public is growing apprehensive of the government's motives in the far-flung Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative doping case.

The New York Times - Sports

The arrests brought a sigh of relief to residents of this bustling capital city of 11 million people, who had grown apprehensive in recent weeks as the government appeared helpless to solve the bomb attacks.

The New York Times

Just when you start to grow apprehensive, ol' Bobby comes through with the goods: in this case, a blue-chip recipe for glazed Porkette steaks with watercress and black-pepper vinaigrette.

The New York Times

Wall Street is growing apprehensive that this spring's green shoots aren't developing into a sustainable recovery, and fearing a deeper retrenchment for the careworn consumer.

Forbes

While others cheer Mubarak's fall, Israel grows apprehensive.

Huffington Post

Sultan Bahadur Shah had grown apprehensive of the power of Humayun.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew apprehensive" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety or worry, rather than a sudden onset of fear. It's suitable when the character or subject has time to consider potential negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "grew apprehensive" to describe a situation where fear arises instantly. It's more fitting for a slow-building sense of unease. For immediate fright, consider "became frightened" or "was startled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew apprehensive" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual change in emotional state. It describes a process of becoming increasingly anxious or worried. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew apprehensive" effectively describes a gradual increase in anxiety or worry. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With primary use in News & Media and Wiki, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for describing the development of unease in various situations. Related phrases like "became anxious" or "started to worry" offer similar meanings, though "grew apprehensive" specifically implies a process of becoming more anxious over time. Remember to use it when describing a gradual shift towards worry, rather than an immediate onset of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became anxious

Direct synonym, focuses on the emotional shift towards anxiety.

became worried

Similar to anxious, but emphasizes concern about potential problems.

started to worry

Emphasizes the beginning of the worrying process.

began to feel uneasy

Highlights a developing sense of discomfort and apprehension.

developed concerns

Focuses on the emergence of specific worries.

turned fearful

Emphasizes the development of fear.

became concerned

A more general term for developing worry or interest.

started feeling nervous

Emphasizes the physical sensation of nervousness.

became hesitant

Focuses on reluctance and uncertainty.

felt a sense of foreboding

Suggests a strong feeling that something bad is going to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "grew apprehensive" in a sentence?

"Grew apprehensive" describes a gradual increase in worry or anxiety. For example, "As the deadline approached, she "grew apprehensive" about finishing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "grew apprehensive"?

Alternatives include "became anxious", "became worried", or "began to feel uneasy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "grew apprehensive" or "became apprehensive"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Grew apprehensive" implies a gradual increase in apprehension, while "became apprehensive" suggests a more sudden shift in feeling.

What's the difference between "grew apprehensive" and "became fearful"?

"Grew apprehensive" implies a slow-building unease and worry, while "became fearful" suggests a more immediate and intense onset of fear. Apprehension is a milder form of fear, often involving anticipation of potential problems.