he fears for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he fears for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing concern or anxiety about someone's safety or well-being. Example: "He fears for his family's safety during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He fears for her safety.

The New York Times

He fears for the future.

The New York Times

But he fears for his wife's safety.

The Guardian

Now he fears for his life".

The Guardian

Writer asks Jessner whether he fears for his life.

The New Yorker

Mr Capriles says he fears for his safety.

The Economist

And he fears for the future of the valley.

The Guardian

He fears for his sister behaving as Christiana has.

The New Yorker

"He fears for his safety," Ms. Hom said.

The New York Times

He fears for the pension infrastructure itself as well as the individual errors.

Independent

He fears for his family, including his wife, their 1-year-old daughter and his parents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs like "worries", "dreads", or "is apprehensive" to better convey the nuance of the concern.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he fears for" can sometimes sound melodramatic in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "he is concerned about" or "he anticipates problems for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he fears for" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a subject's concern or apprehension. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly when highlighting potential risks or dangers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he fears for" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express concern or anxiety about someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "he is concerned about" or "he worries about" for more nuanced expression. Avoid overusing it in overly formal contexts where it might sound melodramatic. Remember to clearly specify the object of the fear to avoid ambiguity and to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is afraid for

This option directly replaces "fears" with "is afraid", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

he is concerned about

This alternative uses a more straightforward expression of concern, replacing "fears" with "is concerned".

he worries about

This option substitutes "fears" with "worries", conveying a similar sense of anxiety.

he is anxious about

Using "anxious" provides a slightly stronger sense of unease than "fears".

he is apprehensive about

This option uses a more formal and nuanced way to express concern and anticipation of potential problems.

he dreads

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of apprehension about a future event or possibility.

he is uneasy about

This suggests a mild level of discomfort or anxiety regarding a situation or person.

he foresees danger for

This phrase implies a predictive element, suggesting awareness of potential threats.

he anticipates problems for

This option highlights the expectation of difficulties or negative consequences.

he has misgivings about

This suggests a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or implications.

FAQs

What does "he fears for" mean?

The phrase "he fears for" means that someone is worried or anxious about the safety, well-being, or future of someone or something else. It expresses a concern that something negative might happen to the subject of their fear.

What can I say instead of "he fears for"?

You can use alternatives like "he is concerned about", "he worries about", or "he is afraid for" depending on the context.

Is "he fears for his safety" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he fears for his safety" is grammatically correct. It's a common construction used to express someone's concern about their own or another's well-being.

How to use "he fears for" in a sentence?

You can use "he fears for" in a sentence like this: "Seeing the storm clouds gather, he fears for the crops." or "After the threats, he fears for his family's safety."