he expressed apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he expressed apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's feelings of worry or concern about a situation. Example: "During the meeting, he expressed apprehension about the project's timeline and its potential impact on the team's workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then he expressed apprehension that, during the course of therapy, Dr. Klagsbrun could ever comprehend his feelings of guilt.

The New York Times

The deputy governor for financial stability at the Bank of England, Sir Jon Cunliffe, made a speech on Thursday in which he expressed apprehension that the housing bubble in the UK risks destabilising economic recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When these volunteers approached Desi Fitria, who was eight-months pregnant at the time, she expressed apprehension about delivering her baby at the end of October.

Unicef

Others, however, expressed apprehension, saying the police could aggravate an already tense balance.

The New York Times

Despite the sense of calm purpose, some people expressed apprehension as darkness fell.

The New York Times

The Obama administration and even some Democrats have expressed apprehension about that proposal.

The New York Times

Many attendants interviewed this week expressed apprehension about flying, but most said they were simply glad to get back to work.

The New York Times

Previously, Mr. Gates expressed apprehension over a force so sizable that Afghans would view the Americans as occupiers.

The New York Times

While pageant officials across the country said they were supportive of the new ideas, others expressed apprehension.

The New York Times

Members of her party, especially former political prisoners, have expressed apprehension at the party's new strategy toward the military.

The New York Times

Yet there is clear, if not publicly expressed, apprehension in Mr. Obama's circle about the wisdom of asking her to join the ticket.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he expressed apprehension" when you want to clearly state that someone voiced their worries or concerns about a particular situation. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While "apprehension" is a valid word, simpler alternatives like "concern" or "worry" might be more accessible to your audience in less formal contexts. Consider your audience when choosing the best word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he expressed apprehension" functions as a declarative statement. It describes the act of a person conveying their feelings of worry or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard way to describe someone's state of mind.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he expressed apprehension" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone voicing their worries or concerns. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, the limited number of examples suggest it's not an extremely common phrase. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register, although the use of 'apprehension' may add a touch of formality. Consider simpler alternatives like "he voiced his concerns" for broader accessibility. Common errors include overusing complex vocabulary when simpler terms would suffice. To be very clear, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid and usable phrase, especially suitable for formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he voiced his concerns

Replaces "expressed apprehension" with a more general term for sharing worries.

he showed his anxiety

Focuses on the outward display of anxiety rather than just expressing it.

he signaled his unease

Emphasizes a subtle indication of discomfort or worry.

he betrayed his fear

Highlights an involuntary revelation of fear, rather than a deliberate expression.

he articulated his misgivings

Uses a more formal term, "misgivings", to describe feelings of doubt or worry.

he registered his worry

Focuses on the act of acknowledging and documenting worry.

he communicated his reservations

Emphasizes politely expressing doubts or concerns.

he divulged his anxieties

Implies a more private sharing of anxieties.

he unburdened his fears

Highlights the release or sharing of pent-up fears.

he aired his trepidation

Presents the worries more openly and publicly.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he expressed apprehension" to sound more formal?

Consider alternatives like "he articulated his misgivings" or "he communicated his reservations" for a more formal tone.

Is it always necessary to use "expressed" when describing apprehension?

No, you can also say "he showed "anxiety"" or "he felt "unease"" depending on whether you want to focus on the internal feeling or the outward display.

What's a simpler way to say "he expressed apprehension"?

Alternatives like "he voiced his "concerns"" or "he showed his "worry"" are more direct and easier to understand.

When is it appropriate to use "he expressed apprehension"?

It's appropriate in formal and neutral contexts where you want to clearly state that someone voiced their concerns, as shown in examples from sources like The New York Times.