Apprehension vs. Comprehension: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on October 11, 2023
Apprehension refers to anxiety or fear about a future event, while Comprehension is the understanding or grasping of information or ideas. The two terms, although sounding similar, have different emotional and cognitive implications.
Key Differences
pprehension and Comprehension are two words that may sound somewhat similar but have very different meanings. Apprehension primarily relates to a sense of fear or anxiety about something that has yet to happen. This is an emotional state that often involves nervousness or dread. Comprehension, on the other hand, is a cognitive function that pertains to understanding or grasping a concept, problem, or piece of information. It is an intellectual process that allows individuals to interpret and make sense of their environment.
In terms of grammatical usage, both Apprehension and Comprehension are primarily used as nouns. However, they derive from different verbs: "apprehend" and "comprehend," respectively. While "apprehend" can mean to grasp or understand, it is more often associated with seizing or arresting, which aligns with the concept of fear or anxiety. "Comprehend" is more straightforwardly linked to understanding or grasping mentally.
Apprehension can manifest in various contexts, such as in social settings or while anticipating negative outcomes. It is a state of emotional turmoil. Comprehension, by contrast, is often gauged in educational or professional settings to measure someone's understanding of a subject or task. It is generally a positive attribute, denoting clarity and awareness.
To sum up, Apprehension and Comprehension are two distinct terms with unique implications. Apprehension is an emotional state characterized by fear or anxiety, whereas Comprehension is a cognitive ability related to understanding or grasping a concept. Both are important aspects of human experience, but they serve different functions and are assessed in different ways.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Emotional
Cognitive
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Primary Usage
Noun
Noun
Derived Verb
Apprehend
Comprehend
Context
Social settings, fear of future events
Educational or professional settings
Positive/Negative
Generally Negative
Generally Positive
Apprehension and Comprehension Definitions
Apprehension
Fear or anxiety about a future event.
She felt apprehension about her job interview.
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Comprehension
The ability to understand and grasp a concept.
His comprehension of calculus is exceptional.
Apprehension
The act of arresting or capturing.
The police are responsible for the apprehension of criminals.
Comprehension
Intellectual clarity.
She spoke with comprehension about the subject.
Apprehension
A belief or opinion, often unfavorable.
There is general apprehension that prices will rise.
Comprehension
Range of understanding.
Her comprehension of languages is impressive.
Apprehension
Cautious dread or unease.
The forest filled her with apprehension.
Comprehension
Inclusion or encompassing.
The law's comprehension is broad.
Apprehension
Understanding or perception.
His apprehension of the problem was immediate.
Comprehension
The act or fact of grasping the meaning, nature, or importance of; understanding.
Apprehension
Fearful or uneasy anticipation of the future; dread.
Comprehension
The knowledge that is acquired in this way.
Apprehension
The act of seizing or capturing; arrest.
Comprehension
Capacity to include; comprehensiveness.
Apprehension
The ability to apprehend or understand; understanding.
Comprehension
(Logic) The sum of meanings and corresponding implications inherent in a term.
Apprehension
(rare) The physical act of seizing or taking hold of (something); seizing.
Comprehension
Thorough understanding.
Students will be tested on their comprehension of sentences in the foreign language.
Apprehension
(legal) The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest.
Comprehension
(logic) The totality of intensions, that is, attributes, characters, marks, properties, or qualities, that the object possesses, or else the totality of intensions that are pertinent to the context of a given discussion.
Apprehension
Perception; the act of understanding using one's intellect without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment
Comprehension
(programming) A compact syntax for generating a list in some functional programming languages.
Apprehension
Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea.
Comprehension
(Christianity) The inclusion of nonconformists within the Church of England.
Apprehension
The faculty by which ideas are conceived or by which perceptions are grasped; understanding.
Comprehension
The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising; inclusion.
In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the Old.
Apprehension
Anticipation, especially of unfavorable things such as dread or fear or the prospect of something unpleasant in the future.
Comprehension
That which is comprehended or inclosed within narrow limits; a summary; an epitome.
Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet . . . a comprehension of them.
Apprehension
The act of seizing or taking hold of; seizure; as, the hand is an organ of apprehension.
Comprehension
The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the power, act, or process of grasping with the intellect; perception; understanding; as, a comprehension of abstract principles.
Apprehension
The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest; as, the felon, after his apprehension, escaped.
Comprehension
The complement of attributes which make up the notion signified by a general term.
Apprehension
The act of grasping with the intellect; the contemplation of things, without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment; intellection; perception.
Simple apprehension denotes no more than the soul's naked intellection of an object.
Comprehension
A figure by which the name of a whole is put for a part, or that of a part for a whole, or a definite number for an indefinite.
Apprehension
Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea.
To false, and to be thought false, is all one in respect of men, who act not according to truth, but apprehension.
Comprehension
An ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result);
How you can do that is beyond my comprehension
He was famous for his comprehension of American literature
Apprehension
The faculty by which ideas are conceived; understanding; as, a man of dull apprehension.
Comprehension
The relation of comprising something;
He admired the inclusion of so many ideas in such a short work
Apprehension
Anticipation, mostly of things unfavorable; distrust or fear at the prospect of future evil.
After the death of his nephew Caligula, Claudius was in no small apprehension for his own life.
Comprehension
The act of comprising or containing.
The comprehension of this book is vast.
Apprehension
Fearful expectation or anticipation;
The student looked around the examination room with apprehension
Apprehension
The cognitive condition of someone who understands;
He has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect
Apprehension
Painful expectation
Apprehension
The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal);
The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
FAQs
Is Comprehension a positive trait?
Generally, yes, as it denotes understanding.
What is Comprehension?
Comprehension is the cognitive ability to understand or grasp information.
How do Apprehension and Comprehension differ?
Apprehension is emotional, while Comprehension is cognitive.
What's the verb form of Apprehension?
The verb form is "apprehend."
What's the verb form of Comprehension?
The verb form is "comprehend."
Where is Apprehension commonly experienced?
In social settings or before anticipated events.
Can Apprehension be useful?
In some cases, it can heighten alertness.
What is Apprehension?
Apprehension is the emotional state of anxiety or fear about a future event.
Is Apprehension always negative?
Generally, yes, as it involves fear or anxiety.
Where is Comprehension often assessed?
In educational and professional settings.
Is Apprehension related to instinct?
It can be, as it's a basic emotional response.
Is Comprehension measurable?
Yes, often through tests and assessments.
Can Apprehension affect Comprehension?
Yes, anxiety can impair understanding.
Can Comprehension reduce Apprehension?
Yes, understanding can alleviate fear.
Is Comprehension linked to intelligence?
It can be, as it's a cognitive function.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
