impose fear

USAGE SUMMARY

'impose fear' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of dread or a sense of threat imposed on someone by another. For example, "The dictator's harsh words were designed to impose fear on his people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Those who have tried to make guns part of America's wardrobe and folks like the NRA and others, who work very hard to try to impose fear among so many people to think a gun is the only way to protect you," Pfleger said on CBS Chicago.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A movement that frames its cause as liberty imposes fear, and service only to the gun.

The New Yorker

Hostage-taking became a tool to impose both fear and influence.

The Guardian

But a new coach with a stern attitude can impose a fear of making mistakes, as Bill Parcells did in Dallas.

The New York Times - Sports

In introducing the song, he said: "To love this song is to take into your heart the message, and to actually have the feeling to arrive and move forward and not live your life in fear, [not] imposing that fear on other people".

The Guardian

It was imposed for fear that Boston would get congested during the Big Dig, a construction project.

The Economist

While recreational users can be fined, the law prevents addicts from having a financial penalty imposed for fear that in trying to raise the fine they might be driven to commit a crime.

The Guardian

While Benítez's players shrugged off the inhibitions imposed by fear of relegation, Tottenham's shockingly abject performance emphasised their failure to recover from the blow of losing out to Leicester in the title race.

The Guardian - Sport

The T-bone is expected to return to European menus next week as veterinary experts of the European Union prepare to lift a four-year ban on beef cut from the spinal cord of animals aged over 12 months that was imposed over fear of mad cow disease.

The New York Times

In the present study, the most common reasons for not addressing these issues were "fear of imposing religious beliefs", "fear of offending patients" and "lack of knowledge" on how to address S/R issues.

BMC Medical Education

They are the kind of conditions you impose if you fear someone is going to flee the country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impose fear" when you want to emphasize the deliberate action of causing fear in others. It's often associated with authority, control, or manipulation.

Common error

Avoid using "impose fear" in casual conversation or informal writing. More common alternatives like "scare" or "frighten" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose fear" functions as a verb phrase where "impose" is the verb and "fear" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, it describes the action of deliberately causing fear. It suggests a power dynamic where someone or something is causing fear in others, and refers to the act of instilling dread or a sense of threat.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose fear" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the deliberate action of instilling fear, often as a means of control or manipulation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Although its occurrence is rare based on the number of examples, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, suggesting its appropriateness in news and analytical contexts. While alternatives like "instill fear" or "create fear" exist, "impose fear" carries a specific connotation of authority and deliberate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill fear

Focuses on the act of putting fear into someone, rather than the enforcement aspect.

create fear

Highlights the generation of fear as a result of actions or circumstances.

generate fear

Similar to "create fear", emphasizing the production of a fearful atmosphere.

spread fear

Emphasizes the dissemination of fear among a group or population.

inspire fear

Suggests that fear is a motivating factor, often through respect or awe.

foster fear

Implies nurturing or encouraging the growth of fear.

dictate through fear

Focuses on the use of fear as a means of control and command.

coerce through fear

Highlights the use of fear to force compliance or action.

bully through fear

Suggests intimidation and the use of power to create fear.

dominate through fear

Emphasizes control and power maintained through fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose fear" to describe actions that deliberately create fear in others. For example: "The dictator used propaganda to impose fear on the population."

What are some alternatives to "impose fear"?

Alternatives include "instill fear", "create fear", or "generate fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "placed fear" instead of "impose fear"?

While "placed fear" might be understandable, "impose fear" is more standard and grammatically sound. "Impose" suggests a deliberate action of instilling fear, while "placed" is less direct.

What's the difference between "impose fear" and "instill fear"?

"Impose fear" suggests a more forceful or authoritative action, while "instill fear" implies a more gradual or subtle process of creating fear.