a widespread fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fear that is common or prevalent among a large group of people. Example: "In recent years, a widespread fear of climate change has emerged, prompting many to take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

There is a widespread fear of aftershocks.

The Guardian

"There was a widespread fear that everything would be lost.

The New York Times

He reports a "widespread fear" that EMU "might turn the European Union into a centralised superstate".

The Economist

There is a widespread fear that the American wealth machine is faltering — and, as a result, many people are aiming to rediscover the nation's traditional strengths.

The New York Times

There is a widespread fear of moving too far, too fast.Emerging Asia's governments are also leery of other quick fixes to boost domestic investment or spur consumption.

The Economist

The country's swingeing tropical heat and a widespread fear of being mugged or pickpocketed while walking has led to high demand for short-distance taxi rides.

The Economist

BEIJING — Chinese consumers are responding to a powerful new marketing tactic that plays to a widespread fear of food contamination: the promise of safe groceries sold online.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Crichton's new, can't-put-it-down novel is a first-of-a-kind thriller a fast-paced adventure based on the notion that a current widespread fear is baseless.

Forbes

Already a year ago, Sigmar Gabriel, Germany's then-vice chancellor and now-foreign minister called Trump "a threat". At the time, his remarks found little echo in the United States, even though they expressed a more widespread fear among European government representatives.

The Washington Post

In fact, these and other recent developments likely reflect an increasingly widespread fear among analysts, creditors, and fixed-income investors that a growing number of governments no longer view sound finances as a key policy goal.

Huffington Post

The UN electoral observer mission said in a report that the elections took place "in a tense political crisis and a climate of widespread fear and intimidation in parts of the country".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a widespread fear", ensure that you provide context to clarify the specific cause or object of the fear to enhance clarity and impact. For instance, specify "a widespread fear of economic recession" rather than just "a widespread fear".

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread fear" without providing specific evidence or examples. The phrase can lose its impact if it's not supported by concrete details that illustrate the pervasiveness and nature of the fear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread fear" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a fear that is prevalent across a large population. Ludwig examples support this, showing it used to describe various societal anxieties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a widespread fear" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes a collective concern or anxiety shared by a significant portion of a population. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in neutral contexts such as news reports, academic analyses, and business communications. The phrase is most often found in "News & Media", followed by "Science" and then by "Formal & Business". When using "a widespread fear", it is best to provide specific context and evidence to support the claim, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a common apprehension" or "a general concern" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The term's prevalence and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for describing shared anxieties across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common apprehension

Replaces "fear" with "apprehension", suggesting a less intense but still prevalent feeling of anxiety.

a prevalent anxiety

Substitutes "fear" with "anxiety", emphasizing the psychological aspect of the shared concern.

a general concern

Uses "concern" to soften the intensity of "fear", indicating a more moderate level of worry shared by many.

a broad unease

Employs "unease" to convey a feeling of discomfort or anxiety that is widely felt.

a collective worry

Highlights the shared nature of the fear by using "collective worry".

a public concern

Focuses on the public nature of the concern, implying it is a matter of general interest and discussion.

a national anxiety

Specifies the scope of the anxiety to the national level, indicating it affects the entire country.

a societal dread

Replaces "fear" with "dread", amplifying the intensity of the emotion to suggest a deep and pervasive sense of foreboding.

a widespread panic

Increases the intensity by using "panic", suggesting a more acute and uncontrollable form of fear.

a growing concern

Emphasizes that the concern is increasing or becoming more prevalent over time.

FAQs

How can I use "a widespread fear" in a sentence?

You can use "a widespread fear" to describe a concern shared by many people. For example, "There is "a widespread fear" among investors about the stability of the stock market".

What are some alternatives to "a widespread fear"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a common apprehension", "a prevalent anxiety", or "a general concern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a widespread fear" or "a common fear"?

Both "a widespread fear" and "a common fear" are grammatically correct. "Widespread" emphasizes the extent of the fear, while "common" highlights its prevalence. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "a widespread fear" and "a societal dread"?

"A widespread fear" describes a general apprehension shared by many, whereas "a societal dread" suggests a deeper, more intense level of fear that permeates throughout society. "Dread" implies a sense of foreboding and deep unease.