For fear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "For fear of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a concern or apprehension about a potential negative outcome or consequence of an action. Example: "She decided to remain silent for fear of upsetting her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For fear of underplaying the gravity of the situation, presumably.

The Guardian - Sport

For fear of terrorist attack.

Huffington Post

For fear of losing our jobs.

Huffington Post

Perhaps, for fear of setting a precedent.

The Economist

deal for fear of competition.

The New York Times

We need authority for fear of anarchy.

The New Yorker

Nurse, for fear of something worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

They stint on contributions for fear of alarming taxpayers.

The Economist

Few stop for fear of being knocked over.

The Economist

(He didn't want his name used for fear of retribution).

The New York Times

She stopped eating meat for fear of getting sick.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for fear of", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action is being taken to avoid the feared outcome. For example: "They remained silent for fear of causing panic".

Common error

Avoid using "for fear of" when a simple expression of fear is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted. Instead of "He hesitated for fear of heights", "He was afraid of heights" is more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "For fear of" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing the reason or motivation behind an action, specifically to avoid a potential negative consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "For fear of" is a prepositional phrase used to express the reason behind an action taken to avoid a potential negative consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in news and media, science, and formal writing. While alternatives like "out of fear of" or "to avoid the risk of" exist, understanding the subtle differences in emphasis is crucial for effective communication. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight the intention behind an action taken to prevent something undesirable. Be careful of redundancy and select other expressions when a simple expression of fear is enough.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Out of fear of

Replaces "for" with "out of", emphasizing the motivation stemming from fear.

Due to fear of

Substitutes "for fear" with "due to fear", highlighting the causal relationship.

Because of fear of

Similar to 'due to fear of', this alternative emphasizes the reason for the action.

In apprehension of

Uses a more formal tone to convey the feeling of anxiety about something that might happen.

To avoid the risk of

Shifts the focus to risk avoidance rather than the emotion of fear.

Lest

Offers a concise, somewhat archaic alternative, expressing the intention to prevent something undesirable.

For avoidance of

Focuses on the act of avoiding a potential negative outcome.

In case of

Highlights a conditional precaution taken against a potential negative event.

To prevent

Shortens the phrase to emphasize the act of prevention.

Afraid of

Simplifies the phrase to a basic expression of being scared of something.

FAQs

How can I use "For fear of" in a sentence?

Use "For fear of" to introduce the reason someone is avoiding something. Example: "The witness refused to testify "for fear of reprisals"".

What's the difference between "For fear of" and "Because of fear of"?

"For fear of" emphasizes the intention to avoid a consequence, whereas "Because of fear of" simply states the reason for an action. The former is more proactive, while the latter is more descriptive.

What can I say instead of "For fear of"?

Alternatives include "out of fear of", "due to fear of", or "to avoid the risk of". Choose the option that best fits the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "For fear of"?

While less common, starting a sentence with "For fear of" can be grammatically correct if used for emphasis or stylistic effect. Ensure the sentence structure is clear and avoids ambiguity.