i have feared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have feared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of fear that has been experienced in the past and may still be relevant in the present. Example: "I have feared the consequences of my actions ever since that day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"For some time I have feared there is an extensive cartel culture of market-rigging and price-fixing in the commodities markets.

The Guardian - Business

In the end my father, a man who I have feared on more than one occasion, looks away from me while fiddling with a piece of paper.

The Guardian

From the beginning, I have feared that one legacy of Dodd-Frank will be to promote consolidation of the banking industry, in large part because of the regulatory compliance costs it imposes.

The Washington Post

"What I have feared most has now come to pass," Justice O'Connor said, referring to her own dissenting positions in the recent precedents that brought the court to this moment.

The New York Times

As the conservative columnist Ross Douthat put it on the night of Trump's election, "I fear the risks of a Trump presidency as I have feared nothing in our politics before".

The New Yorker

At the time I was in my 70s, and his condition had special resonance for me: my father had died of congestive heart failure, and I have feared I will die in the same way.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I had feared as much.

The New Yorker

I had feared I might faint.

The New York Times

I had feared, but expected, the abuse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And it triggered some of the negativity I had feared.

The New York Times

I had feared his fear more than anything else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary the intensity of your verbs to refine the nuance of fear in your writing. For example, "I have dreaded" implies a more forceful aversion than "I have worried about."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "i have feared" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "i was afraid" or "i was worried" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i have feared" functions as a statement expressing a past and potentially ongoing feeling of fear or apprehension. As Ludwig AI suggests, it shows a feeling of fear experienced in the past that might still be relevant now. This aligns with examples where anxieties or concerns about future events are described.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i have feared" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, mainly in news and media, to articulate a sustained feeling of fear or apprehension about something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for expressing feelings of fear that started in the past and may still be relevant today. While effective in neutral to formal contexts, it may sound stilted in casual conversation. Consider opting for alternatives like "i was afraid" in informal settings. Common usage involves expressing worries about potential negative outcomes or reflecting on persistent anxieties. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability in polished writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i have dreaded

Replaces "feared" with "dreaded", emphasizing a strong aversion to something anticipated.

i have anticipated with anxiety

Adds "with anxiety" to highlight the anxious anticipation of a future event.

i have apprehended

Uses "apprehended" as a more formal synonym for "feared", implying a clear understanding of potential negative outcomes.

i have foreseen with concern

Combines foresight with concern, indicating worry about a future event.

i have worried about

Shifts focus to ongoing worry rather than a specific fear, suggesting continuous unease.

i have been anxious about

Emphasizes the state of anxiety regarding a potential future outcome.

i have had misgivings about

Introduces the concept of doubts and hesitations about something.

i have felt trepidation regarding

Replaces "feared" with "felt trepidation", a more intense expression of anxiety or fear.

i have been apprehensive about

Uses "apprehensive" to denote a feeling of unease or anxiety about something that might happen.

i have shuddered to think

Expresses fear through the physical reaction of shuddering, indicating a strong emotional response.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "i have feared"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "i have apprehended" or "i have foreseen with concern", which convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

How can I use "i have feared" in a sentence?

You can use "i have feared" to express a worry or concern that has persisted over time, for example, "I have feared the consequences of my actions ever since that day".

What can I say instead of "i have feared" to sound less formal?

In less formal contexts, try using alternatives such as "i was afraid" or "i was worried about", which are more conversational and approachable.

What's the difference between "i have feared" and "i am afraid"?

"I have feared" implies a fear that has persisted over time, whereas "i am afraid" often expresses a present, immediate fear or concern.