little apprehensive about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little apprehensive about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a slight feeling of unease or concern regarding a particular situation or topic. Example: "I was a little apprehensive about starting my new job, but I quickly settled in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Little wonder, then, if he feels a little "apprehensive" about his Gold Cup billing this time.

Independent

They are now a little apprehensive about having to get to know the Islamists, too.

The New York Times

Ms. Bouder said that she was a "little apprehensive" about speaking on Saturday.

The New York Times - Arts

"He was a little apprehensive about whether he was going to look like crap," adds Young.

Independent

"I have to deal with that tomorrow, and I'm a little apprehensive about the whole situation".

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm a little apprehensive about telling Bruno Dumont how funny I found his new film P'tit Quinquin.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Go on an adventure!" Kerry's reaction was positive – if a little apprehensive, particularly about selling our house – our home for 13 years.

The Guardian - Travel

When I first moved to Echo Park about four years ago, I was a little apprehensive.

Huffington Post

I hadn't been to a fun fair, never mind a theme park, since about 1986 and I was feeling more than a little apprehensive.

The Guardian - Travel

He was a little apprehensive.

The Guardian - Sport

I nodded, only a little apprehensive.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little apprehensive about", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of your apprehension to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the event, situation, or person causing your unease.

Common error

Avoid using "little apprehensive about" when you feel significant fear or anxiety. The phrase suggests a mild level of unease; for stronger emotions, use terms like "very anxious" or "extremely worried".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little apprehensive about" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, expressing a mild state of anxiety or unease. As shown in Ludwig, it is used to describe someone's feelings toward a future event or current situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little apprehensive about" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a mild feeling of unease or anxiety. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While it is not extremely common, it serves as a useful way to soften the expression of concern. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the source of your apprehension clearly. Alternatives like "slightly worried about" or "a bit concerned about" can be used depending on the context, but make sure you do not use the phrase when you feel significant fear or anxiety. Overall, "little apprehensive about" is a versatile phrase for expressing a touch of worry in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly worried about

Expresses a similar level of concern, replacing 'apprehensive' with 'worried' and 'little' with 'slightly'.

somewhat anxious about

Substitutes 'apprehensive' with 'anxious' and 'little' with 'somewhat', conveying a similar feeling of unease.

a bit concerned about

Replaces 'apprehensive' with 'concerned' and 'little' with 'a bit', keeping the mild worry intact.

a little uneasy regarding

Uses 'uneasy' instead of 'apprehensive' and 'regarding' instead of 'about', slightly shifting the tone.

mildly apprehensive toward

Replaces 'little' with 'mildly' and 'about' with 'toward', maintaining a formal tone.

slightly doubtful concerning

Shifts the focus to doubt rather than apprehension, using 'concerning' instead of 'about'.

a shade hesitant about

Emphasizes hesitation rather than apprehension, using 'a shade' to indicate a small degree.

a touch nervous about

Replaces 'apprehensive' with 'nervous' and 'little' with 'a touch', making the feeling more visceral.

somewhat uncertain regarding

Focuses on uncertainty rather than apprehension, using 'regarding' instead of 'about'.

a tad worried concerning

Uses 'a tad' to denote a small amount of worry, replacing 'apprehensive' with 'worried' and 'about' with 'concerning'.

FAQs

What does "little apprehensive about" mean?

The phrase "little apprehensive about" means feeling slightly anxious or uneasy about something that might happen or is going to happen. It indicates a mild level of worry or concern.

How can I use "little apprehensive about" in a sentence?

You can use "little apprehensive about" to express a mild feeling of unease regarding a particular situation. For example, "I'm "little apprehensive about" the upcoming presentation, but I'm also excited".

What can I say instead of "little apprehensive about"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly worried about", "somewhat anxious about", or "a bit concerned about" depending on the context.

Is "little apprehensive about" formal or informal?

"Little apprehensive about" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both informal and professional settings to express mild concern.