very apprehensive about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very apprehensive about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong feeling of anxiety or fear regarding a specific situation or outcome. Example: "She was very apprehensive about the upcoming exam, fearing she might not perform well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"I was very apprehensive about any changes to the design.

The New York Times - Arts

'And he was very apprehensive about telling us.

The Guardian

The tribes had endured or made their peace with Hussein but they were also more secular than the Baghdad parties and very apprehensive about encroachments by the Iranians.

The New York Times - Magazine

The company was clearly also very apprehensive about the risk to its brand image posed by Chinese labor and human rights policies.

MIT Technology Review

"And it's a combination as well with what's been going on with the economy, people feeling very apprehensive about a lot of things in their lives.

The New York Times

Ellen wakes up at night in fear and I am very apprehensive about it all but there is only death if we stay in this house".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

I was really apprehensive about that.

Huffington Post

At first I was very apprehensive, you hear the stories about jail, you see the movies about jail, and even the training you receive before going to Riker's Island is scary.

Huffington Post

Chris admits that many of his fellow students have reservations about the Clearing process: "I was very apprehensive.

The Guardian

Women felt very apprehensive before their appointment, but when attending, appreciated being consulted about their preferences.

BMC Women's Health

I was excited about seeing her sing live in the finals, but also very apprehensive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the object of apprehension directly after "very apprehensive about". For instance, instead of saying 'I am very apprehensive', state 'I am "very apprehensive about" the upcoming presentation'.

Common error

Avoid overuse of intensifiers like "very" if a stronger adjective can replace the entire phrase. For example, consider alternatives like "fearful" or "anxious" which already convey a significant level of apprehension, making "very" redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very apprehensive about" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject by expressing a state of anxiety or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that this construction aligns with standard grammatical usage. It describes the subject's emotional state towards a specific event or situation, as seen in examples like, "I am "very apprehensive about" it all" and "people feeling "very apprehensive about" a lot of things in their lives."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very apprehensive about" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a strong feeling of anxiety or unease concerning a particular situation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and commonly found in various contexts, mainly in the "News & Media" landscape. While the phrase is mostly neutral, more nuanced alternatives might be preferred in highly formal contexts. When using "very apprehensive about", ensure that the object of apprehension is clear and consider whether a stronger, single-word adjective like "fearful" or "anxious" might be more impactful. By being mindful of the intended audience and specific situation, you can deploy "very apprehensive about" with confidence and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely concerned about

Emphasizes the high degree of worry or concern.

deeply worried about

Highlights the profound level of worry.

highly anxious about

Focuses on the anxiety aspect of the feeling.

quite uneasy about

Suggests a mild level of discomfort or anxiety.

somewhat nervous about

Indicates a degree of nervousness regarding a situation.

a bit fearful about

Emphasizes the element of fear in the apprehension.

rather concerned with

Replaces "about" with "with", shifting the focus slightly.

slightly troubled by

Indicates a mild disturbance or concern.

restless and concerned about

Highlights the feeling of restlessness and the concern about the topic.

on edge regarding

Implies a state of heightened alertness and slight anxiety.

FAQs

What does "very apprehensive about" mean?

The phrase "very apprehensive about" means feeling anxious, worried, or uneasy about something that might happen or is going to happen. It expresses a heightened sense of concern or fear regarding a particular situation or event.

What can I say instead of "very apprehensive about"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely concerned about", "deeply worried about", or "highly anxious about" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very apprehensive about"?

Yes, the phrase "very apprehensive about" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for combining an adverb (very) with an adjective (apprehensive) and a preposition (about).

How to use "very apprehensive about" in a sentence?

You can use "very apprehensive about" to express your feelings of worry or anxiety regarding an upcoming event or situation. For example: "I am "very apprehensive about" the job interview tomorrow", or "She was "very apprehensive about" the doctor's diagnosis".