she was apprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was apprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is feeling anxious or fearful about a situation. Example: "As she approached the stage to give her speech, she was apprehensive about how the audience would react."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But she was apprehensive.

The New Yorker

Evert also acknowledged that she was apprehensive about Richards.

The New York Times - Magazine

On the other hand she was apprehensive about making the switch from film acting.

The New York Times

Ma Li was about to start her teaching job, and she was apprehensive.

The New Yorker

She was apprehensive about looking the part, and so we set out in my van.

The New York Times

She was apprehensive, but happy he was safe and coming home.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Ms Fadiga, who is from Guinea, concedes large scale fonio exports would be profitable for Guinea's farmers, but she's apprehensive about massive market demands from abroad.

The Guardian - Money

She is apprehensive, though, of yet another unknown.

Huffington Post

When Maria leaves the convent to be a governess to the Von Trapp children, she's apprehensive.

Huffington Post

Kim Goldman, who has written frequently about her brother's murder, including the 2014 book "Can't Forgive: My 20-Year Battle with O.J. Simpson," told People the creators of the miniseries didn't consult with her family and she is "apprehensive" about it and its accuracy.

Los Angeles Times

She admitted that the bride was apprehensive when she walked in and saw a topless waiter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was apprehensive", ensure the context clearly explains the cause of her apprehension to provide a complete picture for the reader. For example, "She was apprehensive about the upcoming surgery, fearing the potential complications".

Common error

Avoid using "she was apprehensive" without providing sufficient context about what she was apprehensive about. Vague statements can leave the reader confused and diminish the impact of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was apprehensive" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a subject's emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It depicts a feeling of unease or anxiety experienced by the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

3%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was apprehensive" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a feeling of unease or anxiety. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its register is considered neutral, making it suitable for various writing styles. While alternatives like "she was worried" or "she felt uneasy" exist, "she was apprehensive" provides a nuanced way to convey a character's emotional state, provided sufficient context is offered to readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was anxious

Highlights a state of nervousness and heightened concern.

she was worried

Emphasizes concern and anxiety about a specific issue or situation.

she was fearful

Implies a stronger sense of dread or fear.

she was concerned

Highlights a feeling of worry and care about a specific situation.

she felt uneasy

Focuses on a general feeling of discomfort or unease, less specific than apprehension.

she was reluctant

Very similar to 'hesitant', emphasizing unwillingness.

she was hesitant

Focuses on a reluctance or unwillingness to do something.

she felt trepidation

Uses a more formal term for apprehension, suggesting a sense of hesitation.

she had misgivings

Indicates doubts or reservations about something.

she was having doubts

Similar to 'misgivings' but more direct, emphasizing uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "she was apprehensive" in a sentence?

Use "she was apprehensive" to describe a feeling of anxiety, fear, or unease about something that might happen. For example, "She was apprehensive about the job interview".

What's the difference between "she was apprehensive" and "she was anxious"?

While both convey worry, "she was apprehensive" suggests a specific, anticipated event causing the unease, whereas "she was anxious" can refer to a more general state of unease.

What can I say instead of "she was apprehensive"?

You can use alternatives like "she was worried", "she was fearful", or "she felt uneasy" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "she is apprehensive"?

Yes, "she is apprehensive" is grammatically correct. The tense depends on the context: use "she is apprehensive" for present feelings and "she was apprehensive" for past feelings.