bouts of fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe episodes or instances of fear that someone experiences intermittently. Example: "During the night, she was plagued by bouts of fear, unable to shake the feeling of dread that enveloped her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

These should probably be taught to children at an early age before they develop fear or anxiety disorders since bouts of fear or anxiety can sensitize one to further problems.

The New York Times

Quresha Bee, a 35-year-old victim of the gas leak from the Union Carbide plant here in 1984, visited a hospital for the first time in June and told a psychiatrist that she had suddenly begun experiencing strange symptoms - bouts of fear combined with breathlessness and chest pain.

The New York Times

The psychic fallout of this childhood is bouts of fear that keep Nikki awake night after night, on the lookout for some unspecified horror, a condition that makes it tough to hold down a job, make friends or keep a lover.

The New York Times - Books

It is constantly subject to bouts of fear, of anxiety, and to violent crises of nostalgia towards what is familiar and known.

Huffington Post

If you experience bouts of fear, sweating, an accelerated heart rate or abdominal pain -- all of which are signs of anxiety -- you must resort to tools of relaxation.

HuffPost

On the other hand, there are frequent bouts of fear of systemic unwinding of positions triggered by investors "exiting" EM that exhibit signs of weak or unclear macroeconomic foundations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Our town's brief bout of fear and newsworthiness began Tuesday evening when the power went out.

The New York Times

As a new bout of fear gripped the financial markets, stocks fell sharply again on Thursday, continuing a months-long plunge that has wiped out the gains of the last decade.

The New York Times

So, if the global markets stumble, there's a good chance that investors' current courage will turn into another bout of fear, which will spill over into a drop in domestic stocks.

The New York Times

Inspiring bouts of irrational fear may be among the ancillary ambitions of this immersive production from the London-based Punchdrunk company, which has transformed a warehouse in Chelsea into a gothic playground loosely inspired by Shakespeare's "Macbeth".

The New York Times

Sitting in his living room this afternoon, wearing shorts and loafers, Rabbi Neulander appeared relaxed as he spoke about several topics, from his immigrant parents and the difficulties of maintaining a front lawn to bouts of loneliness, fear and humiliation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the experience of fear, consider using "bouts of fear" to emphasize the recurring and episodic nature of the feeling. This phrasing can add depth to your description, highlighting the cyclical pattern of anxiety or dread.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "bouts", which refers to occurrences or episodes, with "bows", which can refer to the front of a ship, a knot, or the act of bending at the waist. Using the wrong word can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of fear" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes recurring instances or episodes of the emotion of fear. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate this in contexts ranging from personal experiences to market analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bouts of fear" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that describes recurring episodes of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing intermittent experiences of dread or anxiety across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general informational writing. While "bouts of fear" is not extremely common, it is a recognizable and effective way to convey the cyclical nature of fear. Remember to differentiate "bouts" from "bows" to avoid errors. For alternatives, consider phrases like "episodes of fear" or "periods of anxiety" to communicate the same meaning with slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

episodes of fear

Replaces "bouts" with "episodes", emphasizing the recurring nature of the fear.

periods of anxiety

Shifts the focus slightly from fear to anxiety, a closely related emotion.

waves of terror

Increases the intensity, replacing "fear" with "terror" and "bouts" with "waves" for a more dramatic effect.

moments of dread

Focuses on the feeling of dread, which often accompanies fear.

fits of fright

Uses a more informal term, "fright", and replaces "bouts" with "fits".

outbursts of apprehension

Replaces fear with apprehension, focusing on a sense of unease and anxiety about the future. Also replaces 'bouts' with 'outbursts'.

intervals of unease

Emphasizes a feeling of discomfort and anxiety, rather than intense fear.

times of panic

Replaces 'fear' with 'panic', focusing on the more severe and overwhelming experience of fear.

recurring anxieties

Highlights the repetitive and persistent nature of anxious feelings, moving away from the episodic nature.

fleeting scares

Emphasizes the temporary and sudden nature of fear, diminishing the sustained feeling implied by "bouts".

FAQs

How can I describe "bouts of fear" in simpler terms?

You can use phrases like "episodes of fear", "periods of anxiety", or "moments of dread" as simpler alternatives.

What is the difference between "bouts of fear" and "panic attacks"?

"Bouts of fear" generally describe recurring experiences of fear, while "panic attacks" refer to sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms.

How does "bouts of fear" differ from "chronic anxiety"?

"Bouts of fear" suggests intermittent or recurring episodes, while "chronic anxiety" implies a persistent state of worry and unease over a long period.

Is it correct to say "bows of fear" instead of "bouts of fear"?

No, it is not correct. "Bows" and "bouts" are different words with different meanings. "Bouts of fear" is the correct phrase to describe recurring episodes of fear.