filled me with dread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled me with dread" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing a feeling of fear or apprehension, especially in response to a situation or impending event. For example: When the cashier announced the total, it filled me with dread.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Your worry filled me with dread.

The Guardian - Tech

That thought filled me with dread.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A (smelly) fish dissection filled me with dread.

The Guardian

Coming home from a summer vacation on Wednesday evening filled me with dread.

The New York Times

However, the news that Disney are planning a live-action version has filled me with dread.

Independent

I'd repeatedly postponed marrying her father because his precocious, impossible child had filled me with dread.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Beach holidays fill me with dread.

Independent

The idea fills me with dread.

The Times

This case fills me with dread.

The Guardian - Opinion

The words "global community" fill me with dread.

The Guardian - Opinion

So news of this reunion fills me with dread.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled me with dread" to express a strong feeling of apprehension or fear towards a specific event, situation, or thought. It conveys a sense of foreboding and unease.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "filled me with dread" excessively in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "inspired a sense of fear in me" or "made me anxious" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled me with dread" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing a strong emotional response of fear or apprehension. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe reactions to events, thoughts, or situations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "filled me with dread" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong feeling of fear or apprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase functions as a predicate, expressing a subjective emotional experience. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "inspired a sense of fear in me" or "made me anxious" to maintain writing clarity and engagement. The phrase's frequent appearance in reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times indicates its acceptance and effectiveness in expressing intense emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspired a sense of fear in me

Replaces "filled me with dread" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the emotional impact.

instilled fear within me

Replaces "filled" with "instilled" to emphasize the origin of the feeling.

caused me great apprehension

Uses a more formal term, "apprehension", to express worry.

left me terrified

Uses a simpler structure with a direct statement of being terrified.

evoked a strong sense of foreboding

Highlights the feeling of an impending negative event.

made me anxious

Focuses on the anxiety-inducing aspect of the situation.

generated a sense of alarm

Focuses on the sudden feeling of being alarmed or worried.

created a feeling of unease in me

Emphasizes the feeling of unease rather than intense fear.

made my heart sink

A more figurative expression suggesting disappointment and despair.

gave me a fright

A more colloquial and milder expression of fear.

FAQs

How can I use "filled me with dread" in a sentence?

You can use "filled me with dread" to describe a situation that caused you significant fear or apprehension. For example, "The thought of public speaking filled me with dread."

What can I say instead of "filled me with dread"?

You can use alternatives like "inspired a sense of fear in me", "made me anxious", or "caused me great apprehension" depending on the context.

Is "filled me with dread" formal or informal?

"Filled me with dread" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in narrative or descriptive writing. Consider "caused me great apprehension" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "filled me with dread" and "made me nervous"?

"Filled me with dread" implies a stronger, more intense feeling of fear and apprehension compared to "made me nervous", which suggests a milder state of anxiety.