an obvious fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obvious fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fear that is clear or evident in a particular context or situation. Example: "Her hesitation to speak in public was an obvious fear that she struggled to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As much as I would love to applaud the debunking of indulgent Hollywood prestige pictures, I can't when the criticism is wrapped in an obvious fear of art and authorship.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The obvious fear is that a profit-seeking school management has a powerful motive to drive costs down.

The Guardian

The novel was sensational not only in content (the eponymous woman is first seen running through a London neighborhood at night, in obvious fear of being caught by pursuers), but also in its effect on the public.

The Washington Post

Getting outcompeted is the obvious fear associated with entering a space that's already home to successful companies.

Harvard Business Review

The obvious fear is that such a mechanism wouldn't be accurate enough, thereby allowing people with vaguely similar ears/palms/what-have-you past the lock screen.

TechCrunch

In this experiment, a white rat was presented to an 11-month-old boy, who initially displayed no obvious fear of the animal.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Griffin tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2009 while at Baylor, and the obvious fear for the Redskins is that he has sustained a similar injury, which would almost surely keep him from playing a full season in 2013.

The New York Times - Sports

That stress comes from the obvious fear and fatigue caused by being ill or taking care of an ill loved one.

Huffington Post

There was no injury, no psychological trauma, no obvious fear.

The Guardian - Sport

Then there is the obvious fear of terrorist attack.

The Guardian - Film

The obvious fear is that justice will suffer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's internal state, using "an obvious fear" can effectively communicate their emotional condition to the audience, allowing them to quickly grasp the character's motivations or reactions in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "an obvious fear" to describe purely physical reactions. For instance, saying "an obvious fear caused him to sweat" is less effective than describing the physical sensation directly, such as "he sweated with obvious fear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obvious fear" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence. It serves to characterize a noun (usually a person or a situation) by highlighting the readily apparent nature of their fear. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an obvious fear" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a readily apparent sense of fear or anxiety. While not overly common, it's found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. Consider alternatives like "a palpable fear" or "a clear apprehension" to subtly alter the nuance. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the context, avoiding overuse with physical sensations. This phrase is best suited for neutral to slightly formal registers, offering writers a concise way to convey readily detectable emotional states or concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a palpable fear

This alternative emphasizes the tangibility and intensity of the fear, making it almost physically perceptible.

a clear apprehension

This phrase replaces "fear" with "apprehension", suggesting a more formal and nuanced concern that is easily understood.

a manifest anxiety

This alternative uses "anxiety" which may imply a broader sense of unease and worry, while "manifest" denotes its clear visibility.

a transparent worry

This substitutes "fear" with "worry", implying a lighter concern, while "transparent" highlights its easy detectability.

a plain dread

This alternative replaces "fear" with "dread", suggesting a more intense and foreboding feeling, while "plain" denotes its obvious nature.

a noticeable concern

This phrase uses "concern" instead of "fear", softening the intensity, and "noticeable" emphasizes its easy observation.

an evident trepidation

This alternative employs "trepidation" for a formal and nuanced feeling of anxiety, with "evident" denoting its clear visibility.

a distinct unease

This alternative softens the emotion to "unease", suggesting a mild discomfort, while "distinct" makes its presence clear.

a patent worry

This alternative replaces "fear" with worry, implying a lighter concern, while "patent" highlights its easy detectability.

a conspicuous dread

This alternative replaces "fear" with "dread", suggesting a more intense and foreboding feeling, while "conspicuous" denotes its obvious nature.

FAQs

How can I use "an obvious fear" in a sentence?

You can use "an obvious fear" to describe a readily apparent feeling of apprehension or anxiety. For example: "There was "a palpable fear" in the room when the storm approached."

What are some alternatives to "an obvious fear"?

Some alternatives include "a clear apprehension", "a manifest anxiety", or "a noticeable concern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "obvious fear"?

While "fear" inherently implies a feeling, using "obvious" emphasizes that the fear is readily apparent to observers, adding a layer of clarity to the description. However, in contexts where the fear is already evident, "fear" alone may suffice.

What is the difference between "an obvious fear" and "a hidden fear"?

"An obvious fear" suggests a fear that is easily detected, while "a hidden fear" implies a fear that is concealed or not readily apparent. They are antonyms, representing opposite states of emotional visibility.