develop a fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a fear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of acquiring or increasing fear towards something over time. Example: "After watching the horror movie, I began to develop a fear of dark places."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Yet when shown a video of a monkey reacting negatively toward a wriggling flower, the audience monkeys do not develop a fear of flowers.

The New York Times - Science

Again, according to the Centers for Disease Control: "Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling.

The New York Times

Perhaps Cameron just really wants us to develop a fear of water so he can keep the great diving spots for himself.

Independent

While some psychologists — and many parents — have worried that a child who suffered a bad fall would develop a fear of heights, studies have shown the opposite pattern: A child who's hurt in a fall before the age of 9 is less likely as a teenager to have a fear of heights.

The New York Times - Science

They develop a fear of getting hit.

BBC

We set out to develop a fear conditioning paradigm in rats that displays alterations in sleep architecture analogous to those in PTSD.

Biological Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Consequently everyone develops a fear of talking about it".

The New York Times - Arts

This can lead to students developing a fear of failure and putting up a front.

The Guardian

One day he develops a fear of bridges manifested when driving a car across one.

The New Yorker

"I felt I'd developed a fear of committing to anything.

The Guardian - Music

And yet, instead of developing a fear of water, Martin grows obsessed with it.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop a fear", consider specifying the trigger or cause of the fear to provide context and clarity. For example, "develop a fear of heights after a fall".

Common error

Avoid attributing a fear to vague or overly broad causes. Instead of saying "develop a fear of the world", be specific: "develop a fear of crowded places after a negative experience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a fear" functions as a verb phrase where "develop" acts as a transitive verb, and "a fear" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and commonly used, demonstrating its established grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop a fear" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes the process of acquiring fear. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is common across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify the cause of the fear. While the phrase is versatile, avoid overgeneralizing the cause. Consider alternatives like "acquire a fear" or "become afraid" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a fear

Focuses on obtaining or gaining fear, emphasizing the act of coming into possession of it.

start to fear

Indicates the beginning of the development of fear, focusing on the initial stage.

become afraid

Highlights the state of being fearful, shifting the focus to the resulting condition.

cultivate a fear

Suggests a gradual and intentional growth of fear, implying a more deliberate process.

grow fearful

Emphasizes the gradual increase in fear over time, highlighting the progression of the emotion.

generate a fear

Suggests that something is actively producing fear.

experience apprehension

Focuses on the feeling of anxiety or unease, a milder form of fear.

conceive a fear

Highlights the mental creation or formation of fear, emphasizing the cognitive aspect.

feel afraid

Simply expresses the sensation of fear, without necessarily implying a developmental process.

fall prey to fear

Emphasizes the vulnerability and susceptibility to fear, suggesting a loss of control.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop a fear" to describe the process of acquiring fear towards something. For example: "After the earthquake, she began to develop a fear of enclosed spaces."

What's a more formal way to say "develop a fear"?

In a more formal context, you might use "acquire a fear" or "cultivate a fear" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "developing a fear" instead of "develop a fear"?

Yes, "developing a fear" is grammatically correct. It is the present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing process. For example: "He is developing a fear of public speaking."

What's the difference between "develop a fear" and "have a fear"?

"Develop a fear" implies the process of acquiring the fear, while "have a fear" simply states the existence of the fear. One describes the beginning, the other describes the current state. For example, "She used to love dogs, but after being bitten, she "developed a fear" of them," versus "She "has a fear" of dogs."