private apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a personal or individual feeling of anxiety or concern that is not shared with others. Example: "Her private apprehension about the upcoming presentation made her practice late into the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And, of course, what she knows about her father's history can't but seep into her private apprehension of him, changing everything, so that there can be no openness between them, nothing frank or free.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Another MoH official voiced apprehension that the private sector commonly views children simply as small adults.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Clinton's apprehensions that her private life would be exposed in the media were confirmed in January of 1992, during the Presidential campaign, when headlines announced that Bill Clinton had allegedly engaged in a twelve-year affair with Gennifer Flowers.

The New Yorker

An extended sense of letdown, some failure of private response, persisted within during that brilliant journey, co-existing with our apprehension, elation, incrdulity, awe, relief, & pride.

The New Yorker

Though Banksy works have shown up on private buildings, the Police Department has gotten no official complaints, a spokesman said, adding that apprehension was difficult because "we don't know who Banksy is, if he exists at all".

The New York Times

And while there may be desultory political coverage of these pharaonic undertakings the popular and collective apprehension of them is more or less nonexistent; apart, that is, from Private Eye's squib.

The Guardian - Books

Sageworks analyst Libby Bierman said consumers' apprehension about the economy couldn't have come at a worse time for private retailers.

Huffington Post

This leaves private buyers, whose numbers are growing fast, stimulated as they are by objects that constantly expand our apprehension of Chinese culture in ancient times.

The New York Times - Arts

As a graduate of a large high school in a Philadelphia suburb, our son had admitted to some apprehension about meeting his roommate, the valedictorian of a 12-person graduating class at a private day school on one of the Florida Keys.

Huffington Post

"If one can afford private security, public safety is of no concern; if one owns a Gulfstream jet, crumbling bridges cause less apprehension".

The New York Times

Apprehension, mostly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private apprehension" to specifically denote an anxiety or unease that is experienced personally and perhaps not shared with others. It suggests a deeper, more internal feeling than general anxiety.

Common error

Avoid using "private apprehension" excessively in formal or academic writing where more direct terms like "personal concern" or "individual anxiety" might be clearer and more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private apprehension" functions as a noun phrase where "private" modifies "apprehension", specifying the nature of the feeling as personal and internal. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "private apprehension" is a grammatically correct but infrequent phrase used to describe a personal feeling of anxiety or unease. As Ludwig states, its use is valid, although there are more common alternatives like "personal anxiety" or "individual concern". The phrase is most likely to be encountered in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider the audience and context to determine if a more direct alternative might be preferable. Remember that "private apprehension" highlights the internal and often unexpressed nature of the anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private anxiety

Emphasizes the exclusive and personal nature of the anxiety.

personal anxiety

Replaces "apprehension" with a more common term for anxiety, emphasizing the individual nature of the feeling.

individual concern

Substitutes "apprehension" with "concern", highlighting a worry that is specific to the person.

secret fear

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the fear, focusing on feelings not openly expressed.

inner disquiet

Highlights the internal disturbance or unease that the person experiences.

personal unease

Similar to "personal anxiety", but with a slightly lighter connotation of discomfort.

hidden worry

Focuses on the concealed aspect of the worry, something the person keeps to themselves.

personal foreboding

Implies a feeling that something bad is going to happen, experienced privately.

secret misgivings

Highlights the doubts and reservations that the person keeps to themselves.

individual trepidation

Replaces "apprehension" with a stronger word, indicating a higher level of fear or nervousness.

FAQs

What does "private apprehension" mean?

It refers to a feeling of anxiety or unease that is experienced personally and internally, often not openly expressed or shared with others.

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

You might say, "Her knowledge of her father's past led to a "private apprehension" of him, affecting their relationship."

What are some alternatives to "private apprehension"?

Alternatives include "personal anxiety", "individual concern", or "secret fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "private apprehension" a common phrase?

It's not a very common phrase. More common alternatives like "personal anxiety" or "individual concern" are often preferred.