i fear that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I fear that" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English! It is usually used to express uncertainty about something, or when you are apprehensive about the outcome of something.
Example: 'I fear that the storm may bring with it very high winds.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I fear that it's inviting disaster".

The New York Times

I fear that sudden demises always help.

The New York Times - Magazine

I fear that Riyadh is Red Square.

The New York Times

I fear that it will end here.

The New York Times

I fear that is where we are.

The Guardian

But I fear that he has not.

The New Yorker

But I fear that they are right.

The Guardian - Opinion

I fear that the rules have changed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I fear that place," he said.

The Guardian

But I fear that they won't.

The Guardian

But I fear that is not so".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I fear that", ensure that the clause following 'that' is a complete and grammatically correct sentence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "I fear that" can make your writing sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversations. Consider more straightforward alternatives like "I think" or "I worry" for everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I fear that" functions as a declarative statement expressing apprehension or worry. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in conveying concerns about potential negative outcomes or undesirable situations. The phrase introduces a subordinate clause that specifies the object of fear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I fear that" is a commonly used phrase to express worry or apprehension about a potential negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains, primarily in news and media. While it leans towards formality, it is appropriate in many contexts. Alternatives like "I'm afraid that" or "I worry that" can be used to adjust the tone. When using this phrase, remember to use it to indicate concern about something that might occur, and be mindful of the level of formality needed. The phrase serves to convey unease and the anticipation of potential negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm afraid that

This alternative directly substitutes "fear" with "afraid", maintaining a very similar level of formality and meaning.

I worry that

This alternative replaces "fear" with "worry", slightly softening the tone but preserving the expression of concern.

My concern is that

This option shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the concern itself, providing a slightly more formal tone.

It is my apprehension that

This is a more formal substitution, replacing "fear" with "apprehension" to denote anxiety about a future event.

I have a feeling that

This alternative conveys a sense of unease or premonition, indicating an intuitive rather than reasoned fear.

I suspect that

This phrase suggests a suspicion based on some evidence, reducing the emotional intensity compared to "fear".

I dread that

This conveys a stronger sense of impending doom or negativity compared to the original phrase.

There's a risk that

This alternative rephrases the sentence to focus on the existence of a risk, rather than the personal feeling of fear.

I anticipate that

This alternative focuses on expectation of a future event, although potentially negative, without necessarily implying fear.

I foresee that

This implies a predictive capability, where "I fear that" is based on a logical deduction or understanding of the circumstances.

FAQs

What does "I fear that" mean?

The phrase "I fear that" expresses concern, worry, or apprehension about a potential future event or outcome. It indicates that the speaker or writer anticipates something negative may occur.

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

You can use "I fear that" to introduce a statement of concern. For example, "I fear that the project will be delayed" expresses worry about the project's timeline.

What can I say instead of "I fear that"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm afraid that", "I worry that", or "my concern is that" depending on the context.

Is "I fear that" formal or informal?

"I fear that" leans towards the formal side, but it's acceptable in many contexts. Less formal alternatives include "I think that" or "I believe that".