a significant fear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant fear of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a notable or considerable level of fear regarding a specific subject or situation. Example: "She has a significant fear of public speaking, which often prevents her from participating in group discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Parents of young children with type 1 diabetes have a significant fear of hypoglycemia, especially at night (20).

Diabetes Care

Women experiencing a significant fear of childbirth who cannot be helped during antenatal visits in primary healthcare and/or having CS request due to fear of childbirth are referred to phobia clinics in maternity care.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Multinomial logistic regression showed that fear of a positive test result remained a key barrier to HIV testing; however, a significant fear × year of survey interaction indicated that fear played a lesser role in differentiating those who had never been tested from those who had been tested in 2010 than it had in 2000.

HIV Medicine

It was a significant fear among the majority of us, as we checked our dwindling atropine supplies and thought through mass casualty decontamination plans.

The Guardian - Opinion

A clinically significant fear of childbirth is estimated to affect 20 to 25% of pregnant women and the prevalence of severe fear that impacts on daily life is thought to be between 6 and 10% [ 23- 31].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The researchers found significant fear of being a victim of fraud, with a lot of cynicism towards the government, corporations and press.

The Guardian - Opinion

States have learned that cyber-operations offer a 21st-century vehicle to conduct old-fashioned covert action and psychological warfare without significant fear of rebuke.

The Washington Post

Still, so few decisions are reviewed by the Supreme Court or an en banc panel that some judges may feel free to ignore precedent without significant fear of reversal.

The New York Times

It is also important to stress that patients with chronic pain suffer from significant fear of movement, which increases the rate of disability [24, 25].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Women's feelings towards childbirth are asked for in antenatal care; women experiencing significant fear of childbirth, who cannot be counselled during antenatal visits in primary healthcare, or women making CS requests due to fear of childbirth, are referred to specialist maternity care as described previously.

BMJ Open

During the war in 1991, the American government did not have such significant fears of terrorist strikes against overseas bases or targets in the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant fear of", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the fear. Specificity enhances the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant fear of" when the fear is actually mild or unsubstantiated. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant fear of" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a particular instance or type of fear that is noteworthy or substantial. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant fear of" is a noun phrase used to describe a notable level of apprehension. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and indicates its frequent use in scientific, news, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes the cause and object of the fear clear, and avoid overstating the level of fear. Alternatives like "a considerable apprehension about" or "a substantial worry regarding" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable apprehension about

Replaces "fear" with "apprehension" and "significant" with "considerable", suggesting a more thoughtful and perhaps less visceral feeling.

a substantial worry regarding

Uses "worry" instead of "fear", implying a more cognitive and less emotional concern; "substantial" replaces "significant".

a marked anxiety concerning

"Anxiety" is used in place of "fear", which highlights the psychological aspect; "marked" replaces "significant".

a pronounced dread of

"Dread" intensifies the feeling compared to "fear"; "pronounced" replaces "significant".

a notable concern about

Replaces "fear" with "concern", making it less emotionally charged; "notable" replaces "significant".

a heightened unease regarding

Focuses on a feeling of unease rather than direct fear; "heightened" replaces "significant".

a genuine trepidation toward

"Trepidation" is a more formal synonym for fear; "genuine" adds a sense of authenticity.

a palpable sense of alarm over

Highlights the feeling of alarm; "palpable" suggests it is easily perceived.

a serious phobia about

Uses "phobia" to denote a more extreme or irrational fear; "serious" emphasizes the impact.

a strong aversion to

Indicates a dislike and avoidance rather than direct fear; "strong" emphasizes the intensity.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "a significant fear of" in a sentence?

Use "a significant fear of" to describe a substantial level of worry or apprehension about something. For example, "The community has "a significant fear of" increased crime after the factory closure."

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant fear of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a considerable apprehension about", "a substantial worry regarding", or "a marked anxiety concerning".

Is it redundant to use "a significant fear of" when "fear" already implies a substantial emotion?

While "fear" does imply a strong emotion, "significant" emphasizes the magnitude or impact of that fear. It's not always redundant, but consider whether the emphasis is necessary for your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "a significant fear of" and "a general fear of"?

"A general fear of" indicates a widespread or common fear, whereas ""a significant fear of"" suggests a fear that is particularly strong or impactful for an individual or group.