most apprehensive about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most apprehensive about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a high level of anxiety or concern regarding a specific situation or topic. Example: "She was most apprehensive about the upcoming presentation, fearing she might forget her lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Wall Street interviewees "were by far the most apprehensive about talking to me".

The New York Times

He was most apprehensive about showing the film in the former East Germany.

The New York Times

Yet within our own society we have been slow to make innovation relevant and accessible to those most apprehensive about or underserved by new technologies, to tackle real, everyday problems such as access to credit, access to a GP within an overloaded NHS, or access to meaningful roles within a fast-changing labour market.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On whose behalf are they most apprehensive?

Genome Medicine

Most employers won't openly admit that they engage in discriminatory practices with respect to the hiring process; but most employers are apprehensive about hiring someone with a traceable arrest history.

Huffington Post

At the same time, he acknowledged that "most of the Muslim community is apprehensive about confronting radicals.

The New York Times

The ordeal has made him apprehensive about even the most basic of interactions.

Science Magazine

Most of all, I'm not as apprehensive about taking on some new recipes that require more than three ingredients (as embarrassing as that is to admit).

Huffington Post

Most folks in the gaming world have been a bit apprehensive about Atari's Ghostbusters title and after the no-show at PAX this year, many wondered if it was even going to see the light of day.

TechCrunch

Nevertheless, even though my granddad was apprehensive about his perceived attachment to the world's most reviled citizen, as a prominent banker in a conservative town, he wasn't hesitant to get in a few political digs.

Huffington Post

Another factor, faculty members said, was that most students had not yet served in combat units, and so remained apprehensive about what to expect in close quarters from openly gay service members.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most apprehensive about", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the apprehension. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

While "most apprehensive about" is a valid expression, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "most worried about" or "most concerned about" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most apprehensive about" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of heightened anxiety or concern. As Ludwig highlights, it is often used to express significant worry regarding a specific issue or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most apprehensive about" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for expressing heightened anxiety or concern. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources, indicating a neutral-to-formal register suitable for various contexts. While it is a correct expression, varying language by using alternatives such as "most worried about" or "most concerned about" will improve writing style and avoid repetition. Overall, according to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English when expressing a high level of anxiety or concern regarding a specific situation or topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most anxious about

Replaces "apprehensive" with "anxious", emphasizing worry and unease.

most worried about

Substitutes "apprehensive" with "worried", highlighting concern and fear.

most concerned about

Uses "concerned" instead of "apprehensive", suggesting a focus on potential negative outcomes.

greatly concerned about

Adds "greatly" to emphasize the level of concern.

deeply worried about

Employs "deeply" to intensify the feeling of worry.

extremely anxious about

Uses "extremely" to highlight a heightened state of anxiety.

very uneasy about

Replaces "apprehensive" with "uneasy", conveying a lack of comfort or security.

quite fearful about

Substitutes "apprehensive" with "fearful", stressing the element of fear.

rather nervous about

Uses "nervous" instead of "apprehensive", suggesting anxiety and agitation.

having the most reservations about

Focuses on the reluctance or doubt surrounding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "most apprehensive about" to express a high level of anxiety or concern regarding a specific situation or topic. For example: "She was most apprehensive about the upcoming presentation."

What are some alternatives to "most apprehensive about"?

You can use alternatives like "most concerned about", "most worried about", or "most anxious about" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "most apprehensive about" or "very apprehensive about"?

Both "most apprehensive about" and "very apprehensive about" are grammatically correct. "Most" implies a higher degree of apprehension compared to others, while "very" simply intensifies the feeling of apprehension.

What does it mean to be "most apprehensive about" something?

Being "most apprehensive about" something means you are experiencing a significant level of anxiety, worry, or unease regarding that particular thing, more so than other concerns you might have.