serious apprehensions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious apprehensions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing significant concerns or worries about a particular situation or issue. Example: "The committee expressed serious apprehensions regarding the safety of the new construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Accordingly, he was again installed in the presidency on January 31 , 1951 in spite of the serious apprehensions of the military leaders who had deposed him in 1945.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although insect resistance is a matter of concern in agriculture and forestry, it is in the field of public health that it has awakened the most serious apprehensions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

India might get its own poor law a prospect the niggardly Victorians could not "contemplate without serious apprehension".India's coalition government, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), finds itself in the predicament the British Raj was so anxious to avoid.

The Economist

A recent Pentagon projection of total ownership costs over 50 years of development, testing, manufacturing and operational service arrived at the staggering figure of one trillion dollars, causing serious apprehension even among hardened veterans of military budget wars.

The New York Times

Add all this up and you have serious voter apprehension, which explains his utterly stagnant campaign.

Huffington Post

The operative statute in this case forbids employers from firing an employee who "refuses to operate a vehicle because the employee has a reasonable apprehension of serious injury to the employee or the public".

Huffington Post

In general, relevant factors include the presence of a deadly weapon, the distance between the parties, direction of movement of the suspect, size disparities, the crime involved, or other facts or behaviors that create a reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury or death to the officer or a third party.

Huffington Post

They stay there because serious filmmakers have somehow intuited apprehensions both overt and covert, like a Rorschach test of the public's fears at a given moment.

The New York Times

In a recent three-month period, state officials said, license-plate readers contributed to 860 serious traffic citations and the apprehension of 180 people for crimes including stolen autos or license plates.

The Washington Post

Low apprehensions were good until high apprehensions were good.

The Washington Post

Your freedom may feel restricted, but if you had an accident and injured yourself, or others, as a result of your apprehension, the consequences could be far more serious.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious apprehensions", ensure the context clearly establishes what the source of the concern is. Being specific about the reason for the "serious apprehensions" will strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers with "serious apprehensions", such as "very serious apprehensions" or "extremely serious apprehensions". The word "serious" already implies a high degree of concern; adding more intensifiers can make your writing sound redundant or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious apprehensions" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It expresses a state of worry or concern that is considered to be significant, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious apprehensions" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express significant worry or concern. While relatively rare in occurrence, as indicated by Ludwig, it is appropriately used in news, media, and encyclopedia contexts. It's important to use it judiciously, avoiding redundancy and ensuring the context clearly identifies the source of concern. Alternatives like "grave concerns" or "deep anxieties" can offer similar meaning with varying degrees of formality. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave concerns

Replaces "serious apprehensions" with a more formal and emphatic expression of worry.

deep anxieties

Substitutes "apprehensions" with "anxieties", suggesting a more profound level of unease.

significant worries

Replaces "apprehensions" with the more common and less formal "worries".

profound misgivings

Emphasizes doubt and unease about a future event or situation.

major reservations

Highlights specific doubts or objections about a plan or proposal.

considerable unease

Focuses on the feeling of discomfort and anxiety surrounding a situation.

substantial fears

Emphasizes the presence of significant dread or alarm.

intense disquiet

Implies a strong sense of disturbance and worry.

acute anxieties

Focuses on the sharp, intense nature of the anxieties.

notable concerns

Highlights the importance or noteworthiness of the concerns.

FAQs

How can I use "serious apprehensions" in a sentence?

You can use "serious apprehensions" to express significant concerns or worries about a particular situation. For example: "The community expressed "serious apprehensions" about the proposed development project".

What phrases are similar to "serious apprehensions"?

Alternatives to "serious apprehensions" include "grave concerns", "deep anxieties", or "significant worries". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "serious apprehensions" or "grave concerns"?

Both phrases convey a high degree of concern. "Grave concerns" is generally more formal and emphatic than "serious apprehensions", so the choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "serious apprehensions" and "minor concerns"?

"Serious apprehensions" indicates significant worries or fears, while "minor concerns" suggests smaller, less impactful worries. The choice between them depends on the actual level of concern.