a fear of both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fear of both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing apprehensions or anxieties regarding two specific subjects or situations. Example: "She expressed a fear of both failure and rejection, which held her back from pursuing her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A. It's a fear of both.

The New York Times

The patient also showed characteristic clinical symptoms of rabies, including a fear of both wind and light.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yes, the "leave" campaign to pull the United Kingdom out of the European Union campaigned heavily on a fear of immigrants, both hostility to those already in Britain and fear of more migration, including insinuations of millions of Turks arriving in the UK if Turkey joins the European Union.

University of California, Berkeley

Andy Purdy, the former head of the national-cybersecurity division of the D.H.S., told me that "a fear of retaliation," both institutional and personal, prevents government representatives from speaking out against Anonymous.

The New Yorker

It's unclear, Westen wrote, whether that reflects his aversion to conflict or a fear of offending donors, or both.

The New York Times

Another stream was marked by both a fear of and a fascination with the great technological changes medicine was creating.

Johns Hopkins University

I think the giving up thing's interesting and I think the fear of giving up – what I might just rephrase as a fear of seeming nihilistic happens on both sides.

BBC

In the last two years, a far-right movement based primarily upon anti-Islamism and a fear of refugees has been growing both within Canada and worldwide.

Vice

Many residents have fitted security grilles to their flats, suggesting a fear of other residents or outsiders, or both.

The Guardian

Over time you have to develop a fear of the world and start buying both their bullshit ideas and their bullshit products.

Vice

Have an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to see if you have a fear of suffocation, fear of confinement, or a combination of both.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fear of both" when you want to express concern or anxiety about two specific things or situations. Be sure the context clearly identifies the two items being feared.

Common error

Ensure that the 'both' in "a fear of both" is clearly defined and easily understood by your audience. Lack of clarity can confuse the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fear of both" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific fear related to two distinct entities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fear of both" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express apprehension or anxiety concerning two specific subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While examples are rare, its usage appears in news and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure that the 'both' refers to explicitly defined entities. Consider alternatives like "an apprehension about both" for more formal settings or "a dread of both" to convey a stronger emotion. Remember to maintain clarity in your writing by avoiding vague references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an apprehension about both

Replaces "fear" with a more formal synonym, "apprehension".

an anxiety concerning both

Substitutes "fear" with "anxiety", emphasizing worry.

a dread of both

Emphasizes a more intense feeling of "dread" instead of "fear".

a worry about both

Uses a more casual term, "worry", to express concern.

unease regarding both

Replaces "fear" with "unease", suggesting discomfort.

discomfort with both

Focuses on the feeling of "discomfort" associated with two things.

a concern for both

Highlights "concern", indicating care and worry.

a phobia of both

Employs the term "phobia" for an irrational, intense fear.

a terror of both

Uses "terror" to convey extreme fear.

hesitation about both

Indicates "hesitation" due to underlying fear or uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fear of both" to express concern about two distinct possibilities. For example, "She had a fear of both heights and public speaking".

What's a more formal alternative to "a fear of both"?

A more formal alternative would be "an apprehension about both". This substitutes a common term with a more elevated vocabulary choice.

Is "a fear of both" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a fear of both" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English syntax for expressing a specific fear related to two subjects.

What can I say instead of "a fear of both" when I want to express a stronger emotion?

If you want to express a stronger emotion, consider using alternatives like "a dread of both" or "a terror of both" to convey a more intense feeling than just fear.