be filled with foreboding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be filled with foreboding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of impending doom or anxiety about future events. Example: "As the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was filled with foreboding about what was to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I am filled with foreboding," he said.

The New York Times

Whereupon, as they looked ahead, some were filled with foreboding.

The Times

The speech said: "As I look ahead, I am filled with foreboding.

The Guardian

Mr. McQueen's most recent Twitter messages, which were removed after news of his death, were filled with foreboding.

The New York Times

With this in mind, I am filled with foreboding about the possibility of bird flu striking in the United States.

The New York Times

"To think this time last week, everyone was filled with foreboding over security and whether Sam Ryder's trophy was worth saving.

The Guardian - Sport

Schwartz filmed Tevye during the summer of 1939, a version that, reflecting the terrifying rise in European antisemitism, was filled with foreboding.

The Guardian

To many people living in Utah in 1977, the days leading up to Mr. Gilmore's death were filled with foreboding and strange, morbid exhilaration.

The New York Times

"As I look ahead, I am filled with foreboding; like the Roman, I seem to see 'the river Tiber foaming with much blood'".

The Guardian

That is the official figure given to Parliament by the spokesman of the Registrar General's Office... 'As I look ahead, I am filled with foreboding.

The Guardian

Even my friends who voted for the rightwing parties tell me they are filled with foreboding when they think about Israel's future.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be filled with foreboding" to create a strong sense of unease or anticipation of negative events in your writing. This phrase effectively conveys a character's emotional state and can heighten tension in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "be filled with foreboding" excessively in already bleak stories. Subtler language can be more effective in conveying dread, allowing the reader to infer the character's feelings rather than stating them explicitly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be filled with foreboding" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a state of feeling or emotion. It illustrates the subject's condition, indicating they are experiencing a sense of impending doom or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be filled with foreboding" is a grammatically sound and effective way to communicate a sense of impending doom or anxiety. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, its relative infrequency suggests that there are numerous alternative expressions that writers use to convey similar emotions, although it's considered rare. Contextually, it appears most often in News & Media, encyclopedias, and academic writing, serving to create tension and highlight emotional states. When employing the phrase, consider the target audience and desired level of formality, while using related phrases to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel a sense of dread

Focuses more directly on the feeling of dread, rather than the state of being filled with it.

experience apprehension

Emphasizes the intellectual or emotional anticipation of something negative.

have a premonition of disaster

Suggests a more specific and intuitive sense of impending calamity.

sense impending doom

Highlights the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

be overcome with anxiety

Focuses on the overwhelming feeling of anxiety.

feel a knot of anxiety

Uses a metaphorical image to describe the sensation of anxiety.

be gripped by fear

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful onset of fear.

have misgivings about

Indicates doubts and hesitations about a future event or decision.

expect the worst

Implies a pessimistic outlook and anticipation of negative outcomes.

see a dark future

Focuses on a bleak perspective of what's to come.

FAQs

How can I use "be filled with foreboding" in a sentence?

You can use "be filled with foreboding" to describe a character's feeling of impending doom or anxiety about future events. For example, "As the dark clouds gathered, she was filled with foreboding about the journey ahead."

What's a less formal way to say "be filled with foreboding"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "feel a sense of dread", or "have a bad feeling about it". These options are more suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.

Are there synonyms for "be filled with foreboding" that convey a stronger sense of fear?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "be gripped by fear" or "be overcome with anxiety" to express a more intense feeling of fear or anxiety.

Is it correct to say "I am filled with foreboding"?

Yes, "I am filled with foreboding" is grammatically correct. It directly expresses a personal feeling of impending doom or anxiety. Other variations like "He/She/They were filled with foreboding" are also correct, depending on the subject and context.