a pervasive fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pervasive fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fear that is widespread or deeply ingrained in a particular context or situation. Example: "In times of uncertainty, a pervasive fear can grip the population, affecting their daily lives and decision-making."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

There was a pervasive fear that "security staff might retaliate if health staff reported patient abuse".

The New Yorker

The metal, seen as a safe haven, has rallied thanks to a pervasive fear in the marketplace.

The New York Times

It has also given us online status anxiety, a pervasive fear of missingout and may be affecting our mental health.

The Guardian - Tech

Their "wilding" attacks came to epitomize just how unsafe New York had become and contributed to a pervasive fear.

The New York Times

Certain of classical music's difficulties are self-created: ossified concert norms, brain-dead programming, a pervasive fear of the new.

The New Yorker

Successive central governments have also deliberately hollowed out the army because of a pervasive fear it could stage a coup.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The series reflected a wider pervasive fear and paranoia about government oversight.

Vice

So instead of a climate of pervasive fear, there will be a chilling effect at the margins of political discourse, mostly affecting groups and opinions considered disreputable already.

The New York Times

For a start, the once pervasive fear of a hated regime is gone.

The Guardian

State Senator John J. Lee, Democrat of Las Vegas, who has long argued against a lottery, cited his pervasive fear that "a mother would go into the store to buy two gallons of milk and a loaf of bread but play the lottery instead and leave with one gallon of milk".

The New York Times

"They develop a much more pervasive fear of going out of their home," she said.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a pervasive fear", ensure the context clearly establishes the source and object of the fear to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a pervasive fear" without specifying what is feared. This can lead to vagueness and weaken the statement's effectiveness. Instead of saying "There is a pervasive fear", specify "There is a pervasive fear of job losses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pervasive fear" functions as a noun phrase, where "pervasive" acts as an adjective modifying "fear". It commonly describes a widespread or deeply ingrained feeling of anxiety. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pervasive fear" effectively communicates a widespread sense of anxiety or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase is valuable for describing societal or situational anxieties. To maximize its impact, ensure the source and object of the fear are clearly identified. Avoid overgeneralization to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as ""a widespread apprehension"" or ""a general anxiety"" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in intensity. This detailed analysis helps to use the phrase with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread apprehension

Replaces "fear" with "apprehension" to soften the intensity, while "widespread" mirrors "pervasive".

a general anxiety

Substitutes "pervasive fear" with "general anxiety", indicating a broader sense of unease rather than acute fear.

a common dread

Replaces "fear" with "dread" to heighten the sense of foreboding, maintaining the widespread nature.

a prevailing concern

Shifts from fear to "concern", suggesting worry rather than intense fear, but maintains the sense of widespread prevalence.

a rampant unease

Emphasizes the uncontrolled spread of "unease", similar to the widespread nature of "pervasive fear".

an overarching anxiety

Highlights the dominant or controlling nature of the anxiety, akin to the encompassing sense of "pervasive fear".

a universal worry

Expresses the near-totality of the "worry", similar to the widespread implications of "pervasive fear".

a sweeping panic

Conveys a sudden, widespread surge of fear or anxiety, differing slightly in the suddenness aspect.

a growing alarm

Highlights the increasing nature of alarm, changing the state from static fear to a dynamic concern.

a collective trepidation

Focuses on the shared or communal nature of the "trepidation", similar to a widespread fear affecting many.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a pervasive fear" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a pervasive fear", clearly state the object of the fear and its impact. For instance, "A pervasive fear of economic recession led to decreased consumer spending." This provides context and strengthens the statement.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a pervasive fear"?

You can use alternatives like "a widespread apprehension", "a general anxiety", or "a common dread" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pervasive fear" without the article "a"?

While grammatically acceptable, using "pervasive fear" without the article "a" is less common and may sound slightly more formal or abstract. The article "a" typically indicates a specific instance or type of widespread fear.

What distinguishes "a pervasive fear" from "a common fear"?

"A pervasive fear" implies a fear that spreads throughout and affects many aspects of a situation or society. "A common fear", while similar, simply indicates that many people share the same fear without necessarily suggesting it is influencing broader systems or behaviors.