encounter fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone comes across or experiences fear, often in a specific context or scenario. Example: "During the haunted house tour, many participants began to encounter fear as they moved through the dark corridors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So the next time you encounter fear, consider yourself lucky.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The glass curtain wall stands at a point in history where the spirit seeking liberation from the past encounters fear of the future.

The New Yorker

Accordingly, Rombaut et al. [ 14] commonly encountered fear of falling among women with JHS/EDS-HT.

BioMed Research International

She tried to limit these encounters, fearing that Begum Harouni would discover the growing relationship and send her away, back to her parents.

The New Yorker

How many times have we encountered fears of heights?

Huffington Post

It is probable that informational and instructional processes provide the basis for most of our commonly encountered fears of everyday life" (p. 384).

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Such experiences plant the seeds of phobias, and cause sufferers to be cast into "fight or flight" mode when they encounter their fear.

Independent

Far from Shakespeare's mischievous "merry wanderer of the night," this Puck is a terrifying entity who appears in the guise of whatever those who encounter him fear most.

The New York Times - Books

And yet the power of the Royal Collection is such that curators at other institutions are afraid to talk on the record about the problems they encounter, for fear of jeopardising future negotiations.

The Guardian - Arts

Along the journey to your dream life, you'll encounter doubt, fear, and self-limiting beliefs.

Huffington Post

I'd previously made the decision to keep all posts exclusive to Instagram to avoid too many replies, but after that encounter, I fear nothing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encounter fear" to describe a direct and often unexpected experience with fear. It suggests a moment of realization or confrontation.

Common error

Avoid using "encounter fear" with abstract concepts or general anxieties. It's best suited for tangible situations where fear arises from a specific event or stimulus. For example, instead of "encounter fear of failure", consider "fear failure" or "experience anxiety about failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter fear" functions as a verb phrase where "encounter" is the verb and "fear" is its object. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and used to describe coming across or experiencing fear. The examples provided, though limited, support this function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encounter fear" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the experience of coming across or confronting fear. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, including news, media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context, ensuring it accurately reflects a direct or situational experience of fear. Consider alternatives like "face fear" or "experience fear" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Experience fear

Replaces "encounter" with the more direct "experience", indicating a personal feeling of fear.

Face fear

Substitutes "encounter" with "face", highlighting the act of confronting fear directly.

Confront fear

Similar to "face fear", but implies a more active and deliberate confrontation.

Come across fear

Uses "come across" as a more casual alternative to "encounter", suggesting a chance meeting with fear.

Be met with fear

Focuses on being the recipient of fear, rather than actively encountering it.

Run into fear

Similar to "come across", but implies a more unexpected or accidental meeting with fear.

Stumble upon fear

Suggests an even more accidental and surprising meeting with fear.

Find oneself facing fear

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing the situation of being in the presence of fear.

Be confronted by fear

Similar to "be met with fear", but implies a more direct and potentially aggressive confrontation.

Feel the presence of fear

Shifts the focus to the sensory experience of fear, rather than the encounter itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "encounter fear" to describe a moment of directly experiencing fear, such as "During the horror movie, the characters began to "encounter fear" as the suspense built up".

What's a good alternative to "encounter fear"?

Alternatives include "face fear", "experience fear", or "confront fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "encounter fear" or "experience fear"?

Both ""encounter fear"" and "experience fear" are grammatically correct, but "experience fear" is more commonly used and directly implies feeling the emotion. "Encounter fear" can suggest a more situational or unexpected confrontation with fear.

Can "encounter fear" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""encounter fear"" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing a specific situation or event where fear is a significant element. However, consider the context and whether a more direct term like "experience fear" might be more appropriate.