grow fearful

USAGE SUMMARY

'grow fearful' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express when someone is feeling more and more fearful. For example: "As the thunder got louder, the children began to grow fearful".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He had seen his mother grow fearful and bitter.

The New Yorker

It's drying up as lenders grow fearful that today's typical borrower may be tomorrow's market casualty.

The New York Times

If investors grow fearful of losses and sell off their money market fund holdings, the cash will allow Fidelity to easily repay the investors.

The New York Times

We tend to only speak out if we're really sure and grow fearful of the work we produce and how it will be received.

The Guardian

Last month, for example, Mr. Suria wrote another report on Amazon in which he predicted that the company's creditors would grow fearful of Amazon's ability to pay its bills and would stop financing the company later this year.

The New York Times

America, he argues, needs to find "a serious response" to China's military build-up, partly to stiffen the spines of America's friends who may "grow fearful of abandonment, perhaps eventually losing heart and succumbing to the temptations of appeasement".Be sure to wear flowers in your hairFew seem tempted yet.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Then Roy was killed, and Kowshik grew fearful again.

The New Yorker

Still, as the American people grew fearful of lard, American pigs grew noticeably leaner.

The New York Times - Food

With a madcap populism, Liu is prone to disquisitions so extensive that a listener grows fearful of their destination.

The New York Times - Magazine

With its weak government and slow growth, investors have grown fearful that Portugal, too, will eventually run out of funds.

The New York Times

In the old days, bank runs would start when people grew fearful that a bank was insolvent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow fearful" to describe a gradual increase in fear, often in response to an ongoing or developing situation. This is particularly effective in narrative writing to show character development or escalating tension.

Common error

Avoid using "grow fearful" to describe sudden, immediate fear. For sudden fear, use phrases like "get scared" or "become frightened". "Grow fearful" is best for depicting fear that builds over time.

Linguistic Context

"Grow fearful" functions as a verb phrase where "grow" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "fearful". According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English and serves to describe a progressive emotional state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow fearful" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a gradual increase in fear. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides helpful examples. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While similar to phrases like "become afraid" or "become anxious", "grow fearful" emphasizes the progressive nature of the fear. When writing, use it to effectively portray characters or situations where fear escalates over time, avoiding its use for sudden, immediate fright. The phrase is versatile enough for general writing but is best suited for neutral or descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become afraid

Focuses on the resulting state of fear rather than the process of becoming fearful. Semantic similarity score is high because it can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

become anxious

Emphasizes worry and unease, which is closely related to fear but can also include elements of stress and anticipation. Semantic similarity is still high, anxiety is fear's close cousin.

become apprehensive

Highlights anticipation of something negative, with a nuance of reluctance or hesitation. Semantic similarity is high.

start fearing

Indicates the beginning of the state of feeling fear, less about the emotional experience than about the action.

develop a fear

Emphasizes the acquisition of a specific fear or phobia, which can involve a more defined object or situation. Lower semantic proximity

get scared

Indicates a more immediate and intense reaction of fear, often in response to a sudden or surprising event. Semantic proximity is lower.

be overcome with fear

Illustrates how someone is overpowered by a strong emotion, less about emotional experience than the condition of feeling fear.

succumb to fear

Highlights the yielding or surrendering to fear, suggesting a loss of control or resistance. This expression is more about powerlessness than emotional nuance. Semantic proximity is lower.

lose confidence

Signifies a decline in self-assurance, which can lead to increased fear or hesitation in specific situations. Semantic similarity is moderate.

feel intimidated

Suggests that fear is caused by another person or a certain situation. Semantic proximity is lower.

FAQs

How can I use "grow fearful" in a sentence?

You can use "grow fearful" to describe a gradual increase in fear. For example: "As the storm raged, the villagers began to "grow fearful" of flooding."

What's a good alternative to "grow fearful"?

Alternatives to "grow fearful" include phrases like "become afraid", "become anxious", or "become apprehensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grows fearful" instead of "grow fearful"?

Yes, "grows fearful" is correct when referring to a singular subject in the present tense. For example: "The child "grows fearful" whenever he hears loud noises."

What is the difference between "grow fearful" and "become fearful"?

"Grow fearful" emphasizes the gradual increase of fear over time, while "become fearful" simply indicates the transition into a state of fear. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the process or the end state.