we were apprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were apprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of anxiety or unease about a situation or event in the past. Example: "As the deadline approached, we were apprehensive about the project's outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We were apprehensive, because it is a very private thing," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"As soon as news [of the massacre] got out we were apprehensive, fearful that he was involved".

The Guardian

Maybe we were apprehensive: everyone knew the agonies of Scott and Shackleton, and we were warned that our brains would freeze in 90 seconds if we fell overboard.

The Guardian - Travel

We were apprehensive to take on such a big amount [of debt], but having just had our first child it was impossible to rent.

The Guardian - Money

We were coming out this morning and there was a wee bit of cloud around and we were apprehensive," Adam O'Malley of the Passions of Paradise dive company said by phone from his boat.

Independent

We were apprehensive in the first 20 minutes and gave them a bit too much respect but from that moment we grew into the game and we said it was a game we could go on and try to win.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

However, we are apprehensive about how these plans might be executed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're apprehensive about the future, but it makes you feel like if you can win the rest of your games you've got a great shot of getting into the championship game," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're apprehensive of rising inflation and interest rates," said Randy Bateman, who helps manage $1 billion for SunTrust Private Capital Group in Orlando, Fla.F Two- and five-year Treasuries led the decline, with two-year yields rising to 6.67percentt, and five-year yields rising to 6.74percentt.

The New York Times

A few years ago, he said, some hotels were apprehensive, "but we are such a party place anyway, the students were absorbed".

The New York Times - Travel

Jim Luker, principal at Lineville High School in Lineville, Ala., said a lot of students were "apprehensive because we have 40 parents, teachers and other people associated with the school" who have been called to the Reserves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were apprehensive" to express a past feeling of anxiety or unease about a future event or situation. It suggests a mild level of fear or concern based on anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "we were apprehensive" when describing situations involving intense fear or danger. The phrase implies a milder sense of unease rather than outright terror or panic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were apprehensive" functions as an expression of a past emotional state. It conveys a feeling of unease, anxiety, or mild fear experienced by a group about a future event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were apprehensive" is used to express a past feeling of unease or anxiety, often regarding a future event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not suitable for describing intense fear, it effectively conveys a mild sense of anticipation and concern. Its usage is most common in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful to use it to accurately reflect the emotional state you intend to convey and consider the alternatives like "we felt anxious", "we were worried", and "we felt uneasy" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt anxious

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety, omitting the nuance of anticipation.

we were worried

Emphasizes a state of worry, potentially indicating a stronger level of concern.

we felt uneasy

Highlights a general feeling of discomfort or lack of ease.

we had misgivings

Indicates doubts or reservations about something.

we were concerned

Indicates a level of worry or interest in a matter.

we were hesitant

Highlights reluctance or unwillingness due to uncertainty.

we were uneasy about

Highlights that the feeling of discomfort relates to something specific.

we were cautious

Implies carefulness due to potential danger or problems.

we were skeptical

Expresses doubt about the truth or validity of something.

we anticipated problems

Focuses on the expectation of difficulties, rather than the emotional state.

FAQs

How can I use "we were apprehensive" in a sentence?

You can use "we were apprehensive" to express feelings of anxiety or unease about a situation in the past, as in "We were apprehensive about the upcoming presentation."

What's the difference between "we were apprehensive" and "we were afraid"?

"We were apprehensive" suggests a milder form of anxiety or unease, often related to anticipation of something. "We were afraid" expresses a stronger feeling of fear. You can use alternatives like "we were concerned" for a similar meaning.

What can I say instead of "we were apprehensive"?

Alternatives include "we felt anxious", "we were worried", or "we felt uneasy", depending on the specific context and the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we are apprehensive" or "we were apprehensive"?

Both are correct, but "we were apprehensive" refers to a past feeling, while "we are apprehensive" refers to a current feeling. For example, "We are apprehensive about the changes" indicates present unease.