groundless fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"groundless fear" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe irrational anxiety or worry, typically when there is no real reason for it. For example, "Although he tried to stay calm, he couldn't help but feel a groundless fear as he waited for the results of the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was a groundless fear.

The Guardian - Books

HER WOUNDS ARE MORTAL Husband Tells Police Mrs. Sheridan's Groundless Fear of Money Troubles Inspired Deed.

The New York Times

But critics contend that he is using groundless fear to bolster his position at home and shore up a challenge to Europe.

The Guardian

In a recent speech, Dr. Berwick deplored attempts (almost entirely by Republicans) to discredit health care reform by using "outrageous rhetoric" about death panels that went "beyond cruelty" in subjecting older Americans "to groundless fear in the pure service of political agendas".

The New York Times

One persistent but entirely groundless fear is that vaccines cause autism.

Los Angeles Times

I will try not to base my next vote on the groundless fear of terrorism personally affecting me and my family living in Topeka (or X remote American location) this year".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She came naturally by her groundless fears, because her mother lived in terror of electricity.

The New Yorker

It's time our country abandoned its groundless fears and prejudices and joined the inevitable movement toward justice in marriage for all.

The New York Times

Difficulty in obtaining political support for the measures required for a loan agreement with the IMF, and (so far groundless) fears of further protests led him to offer to bring forward his departure.

The Economist

That distortion of an indestructible piece of literature alarmed me, too, coming, as it did, only nine days after my happily groundless fears about the debauching of Henry James's "Dove".

The New Yorker

It was a law of remarkable mean-spiritedness, seemingly intended to produce moral panic around groundless fears of cross-dressing men following women into bathrooms and high-school boys invading girls' locker rooms.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "groundless fear", ensure the context clearly indicates why the fear lacks a rational basis. Providing specific examples or reasons will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid labeling legitimate concerns as a "groundless fear". Before using the phrase, carefully evaluate the situation to ensure there is truly no valid reason for the anxiety. Otherwise, you risk undermining genuine worries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "groundless fear" functions as an adjective-noun compound, where "groundless" modifies the noun "fear". As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes anxiety or worry that lacks a rational basis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "groundless fear" is a phrase used to describe a fear lacking any rational basis or evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct phrase that functions as an adjective-noun combination. While commonly found in News & Media, its usage spans various contexts. Be mindful of potentially undermining genuine concerns when using this phrase, and ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the fear is unfounded. Alternatives like "unjustified fear" or "unfounded fear" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjustified fear

Replaces "groundless" with "unjustified", emphasizing the lack of reason for the fear.

unsubstantiated fear

Substitutes "groundless" with "unsubstantiated", highlighting the absence of evidence to support the fear.

ungrounded fear

Uses "ungrounded" instead of "groundless", maintaining the core meaning of a fear without foundation.

unfounded fear

Employs "unfounded" in place of "groundless", stressing that the fear has no basis in reality.

unwarranted fear

Replaces "groundless" with "unwarranted", indicating that the fear is not justified or deserved.

baseless fear

Substitutes "groundless" with "baseless", emphasizing the lack of a foundation or support for the fear.

irrational fear

Replaces "groundless" with "irrational", highlighting that the fear does not come from logic or reason.

imaginary fear

Uses "imaginary" instead of "groundless", suggesting that the fear exists only in the mind.

illusory fear

Substitutes "groundless" with "illusory", implying that the fear is deceptive or misleading.

empty fear

Employs "empty" in place of "groundless", conveying that the fear lacks substance or real threat.

FAQs

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

You can use "groundless fear" to describe a fear that has no logical basis or evidence. For example, "Despite the company's success, he had a "groundless fear" of failure".

What are some alternatives to "groundless fear"?

Some alternatives include "unjustified fear", "unfounded fear", or "baseless fear". These phrases all convey the idea of a fear lacking a logical or factual foundation.

Is it appropriate to describe someone's anxiety as a "groundless fear"?

While technically correct, labeling someone's anxiety as a "groundless fear" can be dismissive if not handled sensitively. Ensure you understand the reasons behind their fear before characterizing it as lacking basis.

What's the difference between "groundless fear" and "irrational fear"?

"Groundless fear" emphasizes the lack of factual basis, while "irrational fear" highlights the lack of logical reasoning. While similar, "irrational fear" suggests a deeper psychological component, whereas "groundless fear" implies a simple absence of evidence.