legitimate apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a valid or reasonable fear or concern about a situation. Example: "Her legitimate apprehension about the safety of the new product led her to conduct further research before making a purchase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It cannot distinguish between legitimate apprehension and hateful bigotry as responses to identical social problems.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws".

The New Yorker

Many of these issues are perfectly valid and legitimate, and it is only through understanding what causes such apprehensions to arise and persist that parents can discern ways to properly deal with them.

Huffington Post

If we distinguish sensorial apprehension from the intellect's judgment of it, then it is perfectly legitimate to expect truth (or a certain kind of truth) from the senses.

SEP

Immigrant advocates say that as the Trump administration boasts of lower apprehension numbers, a contributing factor could be the vulnerable individuals and families who have legitimate asylum claims but are being turned away before they get the chance to express them.

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

"Apprehension in the blood".

The New York Times - Books

Noel sensed the apprehension.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimate apprehension" to convey that a fear or worry is based on real or reasonable grounds, rather than being irrational or unfounded.

Common error

While "legitimate apprehension" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "justified concern" or "reasonable fear" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate apprehension" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "legitimate" modifies the noun "apprehension". Ludwig AI, supports this by presenting examples where the phrase describes a valid or reasonable fear or concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate apprehension" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a valid or reasonable fear. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not overly common, it finds use in news, science, and formal contexts. When writing, it's best used to highlight that a fear is grounded in reality, distinguishing it from baseless worries. Consider using alternatives like "justified concern" for variety. The analysis of available examples, and other sources demonstrates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimate worry

Directly substitutes "apprehension" with "worry", maintaining the core meaning.

justified concern

Focuses on the justification of the concern, implying that there are valid reasons for it.

reasonable fear

Highlights the rationality and understandability of the fear.

valid anxiety

Emphasizes the validity of the anxiety felt.

reasonable reservations

Emphasizes the rationality of the reservations felt.

well-founded unease

Indicates that the unease has a solid basis or foundation.

valid misgivings

Emphasizes the legitimacy of the doubts or hesitations.

justifiable disquiet

Replaces both words with synonyms, conveying a sense of unease that is warranted.

grounded reservations

Highlights that the reservations are based on something concrete or real.

understandable nervousness

Focuses on the ease with which the nervousness can be understood or sympathized with.

FAQs

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

You can use "legitimate apprehension" to describe a valid or reasonable fear about a specific situation. For example: "The community expressed "legitimate apprehension" regarding the proposed construction project."

What are some alternatives to "legitimate apprehension"?

Some alternatives include "justified concern", "reasonable fear", or "valid anxiety". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "legitimate apprehension"?

While "apprehension" often implies a degree of validity, using "legitimate" emphasizes that the fear is based on real and justifiable reasons, clarifying that it is not merely irrational worry.

When is it appropriate to use "legitimate apprehension" instead of "fear"?

Use "legitimate apprehension" when you want to highlight that the fear is not baseless or irrational, but rather stems from a genuine and understandable cause. Unlike a general "fear", "legitimate apprehension" carries an implication of reasonableness.