fearing that

USAGE SUMMARY

"fearing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express suspicion or anxiety about something or someone, or to express hesitation. Example Sentence: She hesitated before opening the door, fearing that someone might be on the other side.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

House Republican leaders, fearing that trap, rushed to contain the damage.

The New York Times

She doesn't even file insurance claims, fearing that might be a pretext for prosecution.

Forbes

Then, perhaps fearing that he appeared weak, he bridled.

The New York Times

She does not hire people who know each other, fearing that it will imbalance the dynamic.

The New Yorker

Western governments, fearing that Iraq's disintegration would strengthen Iran, are siding with Mr Maliki.

The Economist

O'Sullivan's untrustworthy mind leaves him fearing that he will not recognize the signs.

The New Yorker

Our Streets!" even while fearing that this would never be true.

The New Yorker

They used to block development in the city centre, fearing that it would mean higher taxes.

The Economist

Firms have pulled some deals altogether, fearing that asset prices could fall even further.

The New York Times

The SPD was cautious about unification, fearing that it would unleash enormous financial and emotional costs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His father says he stays awake all night watching television, fearing that the soldiers will return.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fearing that" to clearly convey a sense of apprehension or concern about a potential negative outcome. Make sure that the subject experiencing the fear is explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject experiencing the fear is clearly identified. For instance, instead of "The decision was made, fearing that it would fail", specify "They made the decision, fearing that it would fail" to clarify who is "fearing that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fearing that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses the reason for someone's apprehension or worry. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase indicates suspicion or anxiety about a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fearing that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to express apprehension or concern about a potential negative outcome. As stated by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and is suitable for various writing contexts. Ludwig examples show it frequently appears in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. While alternatives like "concerned that" or "worried that" exist, "fearing that" offers a concise and effective way to convey a sense of dread. It is crucial to be sure that who is experiencing the fear is clearly stated in order to not have ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerned that

Replaces "fearing" with a synonym expressing worry.

worried that

Similar to "concerned that", but emphasizes anxiety.

apprehensive that

A more formal way of expressing fear or anxiety.

anxious that

Highlights the feeling of unease or nervousness.

with the fear that

Emphasizes the presence of fear as the motivating factor.

for fear that

A more concise way to express the same idea as "with the fear that".

dreading that

Focuses on the anticipation of something unpleasant.

on the assumption that

Suggests acting based on a fearful expectation.

under the impression that

Similar to "on the assumption that", but can be used to express a false assumption based on fear.

in the expectation that

Expresses anticipation, but with a stronger focus on the expected outcome than the fear itself.

FAQs

How can I use "fearing that" in a sentence?

Use "fearing that" to introduce a clause that explains the reason for someone's apprehension or worry. For example: "She hesitated before opening the door, fearing that someone might be on the other side."

What can I say instead of "fearing that"?

You can use alternatives such as "concerned that", "worried that", or "apprehensive that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fearing that" or "because of fear that"?

"Fearing that" is a more concise and grammatically correct way to express apprehension compared to the wordy "because of fear that". "Fearing that" directly introduces the cause of the apprehension.

How does "fearing that" differ from "hoping that"?

"Fearing that" expresses a negative anticipation or dread, while "hoping that" expresses a positive expectation or desire. They are opposite in meaning.