feel fearful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel fearful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a feeling of being afraid. For example, "When I heard the loud crash outside, I felt fearful and decided to go check it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Alternately they may feel fearful and try and control the fear unconsciously by denial, discounting or reactance against the threat (called defensive motivation or fear control responses).

BMJ Open

But domestically I do not feel fearful.

The Guardian

I wonder, did you ever feel fearful on stage?

The Guardian - Music

It is leaving parents to feel fearful, vulnerable and intimidated".

The Guardian

Yuri M. Schmidt, a prominent lawyer, said that Russians increasingly feel fearful and exposed.

The New York Times

But it makes me feel fearful, anxious, and wildly self-conscious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I wish I would have known that everybody in a business feels fearful at times, including the CEO, but that nobody talks about their fear.

Forbes

"Suddenly, I felt fearful — so fearful that I stayed silent," she writes.

The New York Times - Books

She felt fearful that Arabs she saw in the hospital could pull out knives.

Independent

"At first I felt fearful about joining a group," said Nancy Kamen, 56, of Englewood.

The New York Times

Many of his elderly students felt fearful or anxious about technology, he said beforehand, or were embarrassed about not being in the digital mainstream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel fearful" to describe a general sense of being afraid or apprehensive. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts to convey a feeling of unease or concern about potential danger or negative outcomes.

Common error

While "feel fearful" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly emotional. Consider using more precise and nuanced synonyms like "apprehensive" or "concerned" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel fearful" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, indicating a state of being affected by fear. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel fearful" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the emotion of fear. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in various writing contexts. While "feel fearful" appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, it's versatile enough for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity and impact, consider substituting alternatives like "feel afraid", "feel anxious", or "feel apprehensive" to best capture the specific nuance of fear you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel afraid

Interchangeable; "afraid" is a direct synonym for "fearful".

feel frightened

"Frightened" suggests a sudden, intense fear, while "fearful" can imply a more general sense of apprehension.

feel scared

"Scared" is a more informal synonym for "fearful".

feel apprehensive

"Apprehensive" implies a feeling of anxiety about a future event, whereas "fearful" can be more immediate.

feel terrified

"Terrified" indicates a higher intensity of fear than "fearful".

feel anxious

"Anxious" suggests a more prolonged state of worry, while "fearful" can be a more specific reaction to a threat.

feel worried

"Worried" suggests a concern about potential problems, while "fearful" implies a more direct sense of danger.

feel intimidated

"Intimidated" suggests fear mixed with a sense of being threatened or controlled by someone or something.

feel threatened

"Threatened" emphasizes the perception of an external danger, where "fearful" focuses on the internal emotional response.

feel uneasy

"Uneasy" suggests a mild form of discomfort and apprehension, less intense than "fearful".

FAQs

How can I use "feel fearful" in a sentence?

You can use "feel fearful" to describe a state of apprehension or fear. For example, "After the accident, I "feel fearful" whenever I drive."

What's the difference between "feel fearful" and "feel afraid"?

The phrases "feel fearful" and "feel afraid" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Afraid" might be considered slightly more common in everyday conversation, while "fearful" can sound slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.

What can I say instead of "feel fearful"?

You can use alternatives like "feel anxious", "feel apprehensive", or "feel scared" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel fearful"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Feel" is a verb, and "fearful" is an adjective describing the feeling. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules.