Although the English language is full of quirks, it is unusual for one word to have quite so many meanings as the verb ‘to apprehend’ and the noun ‘apprehension’. Although spelled in exactly the same way, this word can be used in several different contexts to mean different things. Get up to speed with all of the various definitions so that you can widen your vocabulary and write with flair and confidence.
To Apprehend
The verb ‘to apprehend’ has two meanings. The first is to come to understand or to learn. The synonymous word ‘understand’ is used much more commonly and ‘apprehend’ tends to be used in writing of a higher register. It would be used in a sentence like this:
‘I cannot begin to apprehend your meaning’.
The second is a more specific usage of the verb, meaning to arrest and detain a suspected criminal under the law. When used in this context, the word would be used in a sentence like this:
‘The suspect was apprehended at midnight, carrying the stolen goods’.
Apprehension
As ‘apprehension’ is the noun form of the verb ‘to apprehend’, one of its meaning corresponds with the verb meaning. It also has a second meaning which is unrelated to either of the verb forms.
The first meaning of ‘apprehension’ is the act of understanding or grasping something, and would be used in a sentence like this:
‘Your son has a good apprehension of algebra’.
The second meaning of ‘apprehension’ is fear, trepidation or anxiety about something that may happen in the future. When used in this context, it would be employed in a sentence like this:
‘Mary was full of apprehension before taking to the stage to perform in front of the school’.
There is no noun version of the verb ‘to apprehend’ meaning to detain a suspect of crime, and the word ‘arrest’ is usually used.
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To Apprehend
The verb ‘to apprehend’ has two meanings. The first is to come to understand or to learn. The synonymous word ‘understand’ is used much more commonly and ‘apprehend’ tends to be used in writing of a higher register. It would be used in a sentence like this:
‘I cannot begin to apprehend your meaning’.
The second is a more specific usage of the verb, meaning to arrest and detain a suspected criminal under the law. When used in this context, the word would be used in a sentence like this:
‘The suspect was apprehended at midnight, carrying the stolen goods’.
Apprehension
As ‘apprehension’ is the noun form of the verb ‘to apprehend’, one of its meaning corresponds with the verb meaning. It also has a second meaning which is unrelated to either of the verb forms.
The first meaning of ‘apprehension’ is the act of understanding or grasping something, and would be used in a sentence like this:
‘Your son has a good apprehension of algebra’.
The second meaning of ‘apprehension’ is fear, trepidation or anxiety about something that may happen in the future. When used in this context, it would be employed in a sentence like this:
‘Mary was full of apprehension before taking to the stage to perform in front of the school’.
There is no noun version of the verb ‘to apprehend’ meaning to detain a suspect of crime, and the word ‘arrest’ is usually used.
If you would like some more advice about academic writing, or would like to have a 500 word sample of your own paper proofread for free, get in touch with the professionals at Proofread My Paper today!