significant apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant apprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a considerable level of fear, anxiety, or concern about a situation or event. Example: "The announcement of the new policy caused significant apprehension among the employees regarding job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The 20-member Greek delegation arrived the day before the meeting with significant apprehension.

The New York Times

If confirmed, it would be the most significant apprehension of a Qaeda commander since the United States began its military campaign.

The New York Times

China's declaration of the new zone had "caused significant apprehension in the region," he said, adding that China had "increasing responsibility to contribute positively to peace and security".

BBC

"China's recent and sudden announcement of the establishment of a new air defense identification zone has, to state the obvious, caused significant apprehension in the region," Biden said Thursday, addressing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.

Los Angeles Times

However, within the first few days, feedback from participants indicated that the resulting suspense created significant apprehension among them.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At a time when China's assertive stance in the South and East China Seas is provoking anxiety among its neighbors -- including Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore -- the Silk Road initiative has aroused significant geopolitical apprehension.

Huffington Post

Therefore, as this article suggests, it behooves us all to always deliver information and interact with others with a level of positivity such that people can walk away from the encounter feeling informed, empowered and without significant fear or apprehension.

Huffington Post

In a development experts say they have anticipated with apprehension, significant numbers of homosexual men in the Los Angeles area are starting to contract a newly recognized variety of hepatitis--a type more severe, disabling and more frequently fatal than the two major common strains.

Los Angeles Times

While previously many LDCs viewed the prospect of graduation with some apprehension, fearing significant erosion of international support, increasingly, the move is being seen as a more positive landmark.

Stanford University

These apprehensions created significant delay in implementation and expansion despite having support and directive from the government lead of the Surveillance Pillar of the NECU.

Global health, science and practice

Repair and healing of injured and diseased tendons are traditionally a significant clinical problem, fraught with apprehension and difficulties, and often result to rather inconsistent outcomes.

Tendon Regeneration Understanding Tissue Physiology and Development to Engineer Functional Substitutes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant apprehension", consider the specific emotion you want to convey. Alternatives like "considerable unease" or "marked anxiety" might be more precise depending on the context.

Common error

While "significant apprehension" is appropriate in formal writing, consider using simpler terms like "big worry" or "major concern" in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant apprehension" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "apprehension". It describes a notable or substantial feeling of anxiety or unease, similar to examples shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant apprehension" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a considerable level of worry or unease. While versatile, Ludwig shows it appears most frequently in news, science, and academic contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. For less formal settings, consider alternatives like "major concern" or "big worry". Remember to use the phrase when you want to emphasize a noticeable level of anxiety or fear about something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable unease

Replaces "apprehension" with "unease" and "significant" with "considerable", focusing on a feeling of discomfort.

marked anxiety

Uses "anxiety" instead of "apprehension", highlighting the anxious aspect, and "marked" for emphasis.

notable concern

Shifts from emotional unease to a focus on intellectual worry or "concern", with "notable" as the intensifier.

substantial worry

Emphasizes the degree of worry, replacing "apprehension" with a more direct synonym.

deep disquiet

Suggests a profound disturbance in mental composure, a more intense variation.

serious misgivings

Highlights doubts or hesitations about something, altering the nuance to suggest reservations.

great trepidation

Evokes a stronger sense of fear or alarm, substituting "apprehension" with a more intense emotion.

palpable dread

Conveys an intense feeling of fear about something that might happen, differing in emotional intensity.

genuine alarm

Focuses on a sudden awareness of danger or trouble, implying a need for immediate attention.

pronounced reservation

Emphasizes a clear and distinct feeling of doubt, subtly altering the sense of apprehension to one of holding back.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant apprehension" to describe a strong feeling of worry or unease about something. For example, "The new policy caused significant apprehension among the employees".

What's the difference between "significant apprehension" and "considerable unease"?

"Significant apprehension" implies a slightly more anticipatory anxiety, while "considerable unease" can describe a more general feeling of discomfort or anxiety. The difference is subtle and often context-dependent.

Which is more appropriate: "significant apprehension" or "major concern"?

"Significant apprehension" is more formal and emphasizes emotional worry, while "major concern" is more neutral and suggests a serious issue requiring attention. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What can I say instead of "significant apprehension" to sound less formal?

You can use alternatives like "big worry", "major concern", or "serious anxiety" depending on the context.