great dread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great dread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of fear or apprehension about something. Example: "As the storm approached, a great dread settled over the villagers, fearing for their homes and safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And I also think that dogs are great dread absorbers.

The New York Times - Magazine

And Isometimes have a feeling of great dread at sending him away toschool and yet I do feel that the strict discipline may be just thething.

The New York Times - Books

But it appreciates the ambassador's inherent backbone, the mounting provocations that he faced, and the great dread he felt about having to deal directly with Hitler, once such meetings became inevitable.

The New York Times - Books

But their son, though an instinctive aristocrat who retained a great dread of revolution, also had a sound instinct for liberty, and was certain that democracy was both inevitable and God-given: universal, enduring, and beyond the power of humans to stop it, as he asserts in the introduction to "Democracy in America".

The New Yorker

A few pages later, the rerun: eight-year-old Ursula, hearing Bridget come back from London and feeling "a great dread, as if something truly treacherous were about to happen" stays in bed and doesn't go downstairs to hear the stories.

The Guardian - Books

With great dread and joyless duty, Kyung opens his house to his parents (and a friendless Marina, who only adds to the tension) while they figure out what to do with their ruined mansion.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He resisted all concessions to modernity and his greatest dread was creeping commercialism.

The Economist

His greatest dread is retirement and he hopes to work unsalaried beyond it.

The Guardian - Money

I've certainly never seen an interviewee approach the photoshoot with greater dread.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This Halloween, I urge you to peel your fingers from your eyes and face your greatest dread.

The Guardian - Books

To avert this calamity — for she was in greater dread of anesthetics than of losing her household goods — she always piled her money, silverware, and other valuables in a neat stack just outside her bedroom, with a note reading: "This is all I have.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great dread" to convey a sense of significant fear or apprehension, especially when the situation warrants a more dramatic or literary tone. Consider alternatives like "intense fear" or "deep anxiety" for simpler contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "great dread" in everyday situations or when a simpler expression of fear or anxiety would suffice. Overusing dramatic language can diminish its impact and make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great dread" functions as a noun phrase where "great" modifies the noun "dread", intensifying the feeling of fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Books

24%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great dread" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a significant feeling of fear or apprehension. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's not a very common phrase, leaning towards more formal or literary contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, as well as in books. For simpler or more casual situations, alternatives like "intense fear" or "deep anxiety" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming dread

Replaces "great" with "overwhelming", emphasizing the intensity and magnitude of the feeling.

intense fear

Replaces "great dread" with a more straightforward and common expression of fear.

deep anxiety

Shifts the focus slightly from fear to anxiety, suggesting a more prolonged and pervasive feeling of unease.

profound apprehension

Maintains the intensity but introduces a more formal and intellectual tone.

extreme trepidation

Emphasizes the trembling or shaking aspect of fear, highlighting a physical response.

consuming terror

Highlights the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of the fear.

abject terror

Highlights the complete and utter nature of the terror, suggesting a loss of control.

palpable fear

Indicates the fear is so intense it can almost be felt by others.

crippling anxiety

Focuses on the disabling effect of the anxiety, suggesting it prevents normal functioning.

severe foreboding

Shifts the focus to a sense of impending doom or misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use "great dread" in a sentence?

You can use "great dread" to describe a strong feeling of fear or apprehension about something. For example, "A "great dread" filled her as she approached the dark forest."

What are some alternatives to "great dread"?

Some alternatives include "intense fear", "deep anxiety", or "profound apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "great dread" a formal or informal expression?

"Great dread" leans towards a more formal or literary style. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "really scared" or "very worried" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "great dread" and "intense fear"?

While both convey a strong feeling of fear, "great dread" often implies a sense of impending doom or a more profound, lingering anxiety. "Intense fear" may refer to a more immediate or acute reaction.