arousing fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arousing fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is causing or provoking feelings of fear or anxiety. Example: "The horror movie was effective in arousing fear among its audience, leaving them on the edge of their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

While he was arousing fear of Arabs and Scandinavians, he was relying on the support of an actual foreign patron, Sheldon Adelson, the American billionaire and casino operator.

The New Yorker

Labor can promise to spend more on public services without arousing fear of inflation because of Mr. Brown's conservative fiscal record.

The New York Times

In this seminal film, popular cliches of the horror flick were newly minted, most famously the young estate agent arousing fear and revulsion at a remote Transylvanian inn by announcing he's there to visit Dracula.

The Guardian - Film

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees released a statement criticizing the Israeli government for policies that it said were arousing fear and chaos among those who seek asylum.

Los Angeles Times

The fact strongly indicates the possibility that what has evolved to be the prototypical images of snakes arousing fear in humans would be close to those of snakes that are displaying a striking posture.

Plosone

The non-smokers agreed that the graphic pictorial health warnings were generally more likely than written health warnings to stimulate thinking about the health risks of smoking, by conveying potential health effects, increasing and reinforcing awareness of the negative health effect of smoking, aiding memorability of the health effects and arousing fear of smoking among smokers.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These were highly unstable arrangements, arousing fears that major defaults would occur.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Furthermore, productivity growth has collapsed in the past year, arousing fears that the underlying growth in capacity may have slowed.

The Economist

The river rose above flood stage on Tuesday, arousing fears that the oil would be pushed into undamaged areas.

The New York Times - Science

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union orbited the first artificial satellite, arousing fears that the United States was falling behind the Soviets technologically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Liberals and the NDP succeeded in arousing fears that the Conservative platform concealed ambiguities on abortion and that neither Medicare nor the Charter of Rights and Freedoms would be safe in the party's hands.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arousing fear", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the fear and who or what is experiencing it. This provides clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Be cautious when using "arousing fear" in overly dramatic or sensationalized contexts. Instead, opt for more nuanced language that accurately reflects the specific emotion or concern being evoked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arousing fear" functions as a present participle phrase, modifying a noun and describing the action of something causing fear. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arousing fear" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that causes feelings of fear or anxiety. Ludwig confirms it is correct and usable. While not overly common, it appears primarily in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives such as "instilling fear" or "provoking fear" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the source and recipient of the fear. Avoid overuse in sensationalized contexts for more nuanced and accurate language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instilling fear

Focuses more on the deliberate act of causing fear.

provoking fear

Emphasizes the act of inciting or triggering fear.

stirring up fear

Implies a more active and intentional creation of fear.

generating fear

Highlights the creation or production of fear.

causing fear

A more direct and straightforward way of saying something is creating fear.

inducing fear

Implies a more subtle or indirect method of causing fear.

evoking fear

Focuses on bringing forth or summoning feelings of fear.

triggering fear

Highlights a specific event or action that initiates fear.

inciting fear

Suggests a more aggressive or inflammatory action.

breeding fear

Implies that fear is growing or multiplying over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "arousing fear" to describe something that is causing feelings of fear or anxiety. For example, "The policies were "arousing fear" among the population."

What are some alternatives to "arousing fear"?

Some alternatives to "arousing fear" include "instilling fear", "provoking fear", or "evoking fear". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "arousing fear", or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "arousing fear" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Whether it's the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Alternatives like "provoking fear" may be more suitable in some cases.

What is the difference between "arousing fear" and "instilling fear"?

"Arousing fear" suggests a general causation of fear, while "instilling fear" implies a deliberate and intentional act of causing fear. The choice depends on whether the fear is intentional or a byproduct.