draw fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of instilling or evoking fear in someone or something. Example: "The dark, ominous clouds began to draw fear in the hearts of the villagers as the storm approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

#100days100nights: Gang threats of violence on social media draw fear.

Los Angeles Times

Draw fear.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Otherwise fairly routine, the film draws fear from ancient mythology and historical grudges in a way more reminiscent of Japanese horror than its American contemporaries.

Los Angeles Times

The three most frequent fears were: fear of complications (n = 34 times drawn), fear of suffocating (n = 27 times drawn), and fear of pain (n = 25 times drawn).

BMC Anesthesiology

Vacant for two years, the property has been put up for development by the city, drawing fears from preservationists that it will be torn down for an office or apartment building.

The New York Times

He has stopped drawing, fears police, and is troubled by his racial identity.

Vice

He has stopped drawing, fears police and is troubled by his racial identity.

Vice

The president and his close associates want to draw a line, fearing that if they look too closely, the whole financial system may collapse, said several Afghan and Western officials.

The New York Times

"When there is a big piece of legislation that draws lots fear and concern and opposition from significant players, that can cause members to delay or stall or wait to act until the end, or find less controversial ways of dealing with it or passing it," said Sandy Kress, an architect of Bush administration education policy who is now an Austin lobbyist.

The New York Times

There are rumors of every variety, including those that draw on fears of the sort of military coup that has haunted Venezuela's history.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ghannouchi's many critics draw on fears that democracy will serve as a tool for Islamists to deliver another brand of intolerance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draw fear", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Draw" suggests a pulling or attracting of fear, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "draw fear" when the subject isn't actively or intentionally causing the fear. For unintentional causes, consider phrases like "inspire fear" or "generate fear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw fear" functions as a verb-noun construction where "draw" acts as a transitive verb, taking "fear" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound. The verb "draw" here signifies causing or eliciting a feeling of fear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "draw fear" is a grammatically correct but infrequent expression used to describe the act of instilling or evoking fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid construction, though alternatives like "evoke fear" or "instill fear" might be more common. Analysis of usage patterns indicates that "draw fear" is mostly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, writers should consider the specific nuance they wish to convey and whether a more common alternative would better suit their needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke fear

Replaces "draw" with "evoke", focusing on the act of bringing fear to the surface.

instill fear

Emphasizes the act of planting or introducing fear into someone or something.

generate fear

Highlights the creation or production of fear.

inspire fear

Suggests that fear is being breathed into someone or something.

create apprehension

Shifts the focus to a milder form of fear, emphasizing worry or unease.

elicit dread

Uses "elicit" to highlight the act of bringing forth a feeling of great fear or apprehension.

provoke anxiety

Focuses on causing anxiety, a state of worry and nervousness.

arouse terror

Emphasizes the awakening or stirring up of extreme fear.

foster unease

Highlights the nurturing or development of a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

cause trepidation

Focuses on the act of making someone feel hesitant or fearful.

FAQs

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

You can use "draw fear" to describe something that instills or evokes fear, like "The dictator's actions began to "draw fear" throughout the country."

What are some alternatives to "draw fear"?

Alternatives to "draw fear" include "evoke fear", "instill fear", or "generate fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "draw fear" or "invoke fear"?

Both "draw fear" and "invoke fear" can be used, but "invoke fear" might be more common. "Draw fear" implies attracting or pulling fear, while "invoke fear" suggests summoning it.

How does "draw fear" differ from "cause fear"?

"Draw fear" implies a more active or intentional process of instilling fear, while "cause fear" is a more general term for something that results in fear.