generating fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generating fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is causing or instilling fear in others. Example: "The horror movie was effective in generating fear among its audience, leaving them on the edge of their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Acts of terrorisation or large-scale coercive violence are typically associated with a general aim of generating fear and insecurity while keeping any specific aims or demands oblique.

SEP

The hysterical anti-Muslim reaction to terrorism is generating fear and resentment among Muslims living in Europe and America.

The Guardian - Opinion

And generating fear, Lindzen contends, is now the best way to ensure that policymakers keep the spigot open".

The Guardian

Certainly, visual cues, thoughts and memories play a more important role in generating fear behavior in humans.

The New York Times - Health

The pathogen now generating fear — known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA — has long been infecting sick patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

The New York Times

The amygdalas are known to be involved in assessing threats and generating fear, while the pACC in turn helps to regulate the amygdalas.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But as the agency reopens the issue of over-the-counter drug regulation, the Claritin debate is generating fears within the industry that the longstanding policy will change.

The New York Times

In the wake of Switzerland's move, Poland's currency, the zloty, also fell sharply, generating fears of "contagion" spreading to other markets.

The New Yorker

Severe floods in Papua New Guinea's Carteret islands are often attributed to shifting sea levels, generating fears that they may produce the world's first climate-change refugees.

The Economist

The many departmental announcements in the last fortnight are generating fears in areas as diverse as children's palliative care, the legal aid budget and support for the young unemployed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Uncertainty is a key characteristic of our societies, generating fears that must be managed by governments and security institutions.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about actions intended to control or manipulate, consider using "generating fear" to highlight the deliberate creation of a fearful environment or emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "generating fear" in situations where the emotion is a natural reaction rather than a deliberately induced state. Simpler terms like "causing fear" or "creating anxiety" may be more appropriate for everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generating fear" functions primarily as a verbal phrase. It typically acts as a gerund, describing an action or process that causes or produces fear. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generating fear" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, that describes the action of causing fear, often intentionally. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific sources. The phrase serves to critically analyze situations that incite fear, and you should choose the more direct "causing fear" for more common scenarios. Remember that alternatives like "instilling fear" and "evoking fear" offer nuances in meaning. Using "generating fear" accurately can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing, as it often describes deliberate manipulation or strategic actions that produce a state of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instilling fear

Focuses on the action of gradually implanting fear in someone.

evoking fear

Highlights the act of calling forth or summoning fear as a response.

arousing fear

Emphasizes the act of stimulating or awakening fear.

inciting fear

Suggests provoking or stirring up fear, potentially leading to action.

fostering fear

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth of fear.

producing fear

Highlights the outcome of creating fear as a direct result.

sparking fear

Indicates an instantaneous and immediate creation of fear.

triggering fear

Focuses on the event or stimulus that initiates fear.

cultivating fear

Suggests careful and deliberate development of fear over time.

breeding fear

Implies creating an environment where fear can naturally arise and spread.

FAQs

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

You can use "generating fear" to describe an action or situation that causes a sense of fear. For example, "The dictator's policies were aimed at generating fear among the population."

What are some alternatives to "generating fear"?

You can use alternatives like "instilling fear", "evoking fear", or "arousing fear" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "generating fear" a formal or informal expression?

"Generating fear" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news reports, academic writing, and professional discussions.

What is the difference between "generating fear" and "causing fear"?

"Generating fear" implies a more deliberate and intentional effort to create a sense of fear, while "causing fear" is more general and can refer to unintentional consequences. So, "causing fear" is any event that triggers fear, while generating fear is a way to intentionally or unintentionally produce fear.