for fear of finding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for fear of finding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a concern or apprehension about discovering something undesirable or troubling. Example: "She avoided looking into her family history for fear of finding secrets that could change her perception of her parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Hold on to nurse for fear of finding something worse!

The Guardian

'Always keep a hold of Nurse For fear of finding something worse' (Belloc).

The Guardian

The poem's closing lines were: And always keep a-hold of Nurse For fear of finding something worse.

The New Yorker

In the words of Hilaire Belloc, "Always keep a-hold of Nurse, / For fear of finding something worse".

The New Yorker

Some were afraid to speak their minds for fear of finding the terms of their tenancies changed.

The Guardian

Your alternative – to hold on to nurse for fear of finding something worse – is in any case a century too late.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It makes no sense, he implied, to be collaborating with terrorists.For fear of finding something worseMr Zardari is right: it is a policy of almost lunatic recklessness.

The Economist

The story revolves around a young artist named Molly who finds herself full of doubt when her girlfriend, Rhea, suddenly leaves her for fear of others finding out about their secret relationship.

Huffington Post

It is the kind of dimly lighted, labyrinthine place where you wouldn't want to seek out the rest rooms, especially after a few drinks, for fear of never finding your way back.

The New York Times - Travel

Would these parents homeschool their kids for fear of them finding out that the Earth revolves around the Sun? News media, stop bowing to closed-minded people like Natalia Selway and Rochelle Mazel.

Huffington Post

[PNC 0207126] Others said they were sometimes afraid to take their medications for fear of others finding out their status.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for fear of finding", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being avoided and why it is undesirable. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for fear of finding" when the consequence is not genuinely undesirable or when a more direct explanation would be clearer. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for fear of finding" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, indicating the reason why an action is taken or avoided. It expresses the intention to prevent a potential discovery that is perceived as undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for fear of finding" is a common phrase used to express the reason behind avoiding an action due to the apprehension of discovering something undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to consider the nuance you want to convey and the best alternative to use. If you want to convey a more formal tone you could use "lest one discover", if you want to show that it's intentional avoidance you could use "avoiding the discovery of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lest one discover

Emphasizes a formal, almost literary tone, suggesting precaution to prevent an unwanted discovery.

avoiding the discovery of

Focuses on the act of preventing a discovery, highlighting intentional avoidance.

to prevent the finding of

Similar to 'avoiding the discovery of', but more direct in its expression of prevention.

in apprehension of discovering

Highlights the feeling of unease or anxiety about a potential discovery.

so as not to uncover

Emphasizes the intention to keep something hidden or concealed.

for the purpose of not finding

Directly states the intention to avoid a discovery, though it can sound somewhat awkward.

with the intention of averting discovery

Focuses on a deliberate plan to prevent a discovery from occurring.

out of concern for what might be found

Highlights the worry or concern about the nature of a potential discovery.

rather than risk finding

Expresses a preference for avoiding a risk of making an unwanted discovery.

to evade the potential for discovery

Emphasizes avoiding or escaping the possibility of a discovery.

FAQs

How can I use "for fear of finding" in a sentence?

Use "for fear of finding" to express that someone is avoiding a certain action because they are worried about the possible negative consequences of discovering something. For example, "She avoided looking into her family history "for fear of finding" secrets that could change her perception of her parents".

What are some alternatives to "for fear of finding"?

You can use alternatives like "lest one discover", "avoiding the discovery of", or "out of concern for what might be found" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of apprehension or avoidance.

Is "for fear of finding" formal or informal?

"For fear of finding" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in written English. The level of formality also depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure. Using phrases such as "lest one discover" might give your writing a more formal tone.

When is it best to use "for fear of finding" over a more direct explanation?

Use "for fear of finding" when you want to emphasize the element of apprehension or worry about a potential discovery. If the main point is simply to state a cause-and-effect relationship without highlighting the fear, a more direct construction (e.g., "She didn't investigate because she thought she would find something unpleasant") might be preferable.