by a fear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a fear of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are influenced or motivated by fear. Example: "She was held back by a fear of failure, preventing her from pursuing her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But now he seems driven by a fear of defeat.

The New York Times

The current cinema is haunted by a fear of drama.

The New Yorker

Philippines was gripped by a fear of vaccines.

The Washington Post

It is characterised by a fear of silence.

The Guardian - Books

Isolated worries about asset bubbles have been replaced by a fear of broader overheating.

The Economist

Government air strikes were limited by a fear of friendly fire.

The Economist

Driven by a fear of losing out, many companies have announced AI-focused initiatives.

Harvard Business Review

France remains haunted by a fear of children being targeted in terrorist attacks.

The Guardian

Driven by a fear of losing out, companies in many industries have announced AI-focused initiatives.

Harvard Business Review

Pessimists are motivated primarily by a fear of shame of being wrong or inadequate.

Harvard Business Review

But Ms. Cabrera is also gripped by a fear of mortality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than "driven" or "motivated" if you want to emphasize the intensity of the fear's influence. Options like "paralyzed", "consumed", or "haunted" can add depth and impact.

Common error

Avoid overusing "by a fear of" when a more specific emotion or concern is actually the primary driver. For example, instead of saying "The decision was driven by a fear of failure", consider if it was actually driven by a desire for success or a need for approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a fear of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the cause or motivation behind an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used. It establishes a direct link between the emotion of fear and its consequential impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a fear of" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that explains the underlying cause of actions or decisions rooted in apprehension. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable. Its prevalence across news, business, and even scientific writing underscores its versatility in explaining motivations. While variations like "motivated by dread" or "driven by anxiety" offer nuanced alternatives, "by a fear of" remains a clear and effective way to convey influence stemming from a specific fear. Therefore, writers should aim for clarity and specificity when employing this phrase to precisely convey the source and nature of the fear involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by a dread of

Replaces "fear" with "dread", suggesting a more intense and prolonged sense of apprehension.

driven by an anxiety about

Substitutes "fear" with "anxiety", focusing on a more generalized state of worry or unease.

compelled by a worry over

Employs "worry" instead of "fear", indicating a lighter, less severe form of concern.

influenced by a concern for

Uses "concern" instead of "fear", shifting the focus to a more rational and considered response to a potential threat.

prompted by apprehension regarding

Replaces "fear" with "apprehension", suggesting a more formal and cautious anticipation of negative outcomes.

actuated by a panic about

Swaps "fear" with "panic", highlighting a sudden and overwhelming sense of terror.

spurred by a trepidation towards

Utilizes "trepidation" in place of "fear", suggesting a hesitant and nervous anticipation of something unpleasant.

moved by a disquietude concerning

Replaces "fear" with "disquietude", focusing on a subtle and persistent sense of unease.

guided by a misgiving about

Substitutes "fear" with "misgiving", indicating a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the future.

constrained by a terror of

Replaces "fear" with "terror", intensifying the sense of extreme fear and dread.

FAQs

How can I use "by a fear of" in a sentence?

The phrase "by a fear of" is used to indicate that an action, decision, or state is caused or influenced by a feeling of fear. For example: "The project was delayed "by a fear of" potential security breaches".

What phrases are similar to "by a fear of"?

Similar phrases include "motivated by a dread of", "driven by an anxiety about", or "compelled by a worry over". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "due to a fear of" instead of "by a fear of"?

Yes, "due to a fear of" is grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably with ""by a fear of"" in many contexts. However, ""by a fear of"" emphasizes the direct influence of the fear, while "due to a fear of" focuses on the causal relationship.

What's the difference between "motivated by fear" and "by a fear of"?

"Motivated by fear" is a more general statement indicating that fear is a driving force. "By a fear of" specifies what the fear is directed towards. For instance, someone might be "motivated by fear" in general, but specifically driven "by a fear of" public speaking.