inspire terror

USAGE SUMMARY

"inspire terror" is a perfectly grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to indicate that something (generally a person or event) creates fear or dread. For example: "The dark thunderclouds rolling in from the west inspired terror among the small town's citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

And yet the wilderness can still inspire terror.

The Guardian - Music

The primary aim of terrorists is to inspire terror.

The New Yorker

But Greene did not want to elevate consciousness; he wanted to debilitate, in ways that would inspire terror.

The New Yorker

It is the secret, nocturnal strikes by bats that inspire terror, despite bats' great value in controlling night-flying insects.

The New York Times

But a juiced-up ape can become something more than fun for us — he can shock us with his power, even inspire terror.

The New Yorker

The techno-paranoid get an Apple-ish operating system (the Genisys of the title) to worry about, but a tablet can't inspire terror.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

His insurgent group inspired terror by hacking off limbs of thousands of civilians, raping women and forcing children to fight.

The New York Times

The Jordan River was split asunder, the walls of Jericho fell at Israel's shout, the enemy was seized with divinely inspired terror, and the sun stood still in order to enable Israel to exploit its victory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the wake of the Brexit vote and a number of ISIS inspired terror attacks in Europe, liberalizing the Schengen visa regime has become politically toxic.

Forbes

Burke's further view that our simple ideas of pain went towards a complex idea of a God who inspired terror, was very distant from the deists' view that He could be understood by our natural faculty of reason alone and that as such He was known to be benevolent and not much besides.

SEP

Such visits from Graham inspired terror among her far-flung correspondents, who were always mobilized before she arrived to make suitable hotel, coiffeur and entertainment plans.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inspire terror" to describe actions, events, or figures that create a deep sense of fear and dread in others. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source and target of the terror.

Common error

Avoid using "inspire terror" when the intention is to describe respect or admiration, as terror implies intense fear, not reverence. Choose words like "awe" or "respect" if the context involves positive emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inspire terror" functions as a verb phrase where "inspire" is the transitive verb and "terror" is the direct object. It signifies the act of causing or creating a feeling of extreme fear or dread. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inspire terror" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of causing extreme fear or dread. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and easy to use. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it serves to highlight the capacity of something or someone to evoke intense fear. While alternatives like "incite terror" or "provoke terror" offer similar meanings, "inspire terror" maintains a balance of neutrality and formality suitable for a wide range of applications. When using this phrase, be mindful of accurately attributing the source of terror to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incite terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'incite', focusing on the act of provoking or stirring up terror.

provoke terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'provoke', indicating a direct action that leads to terror.

generate terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'generate', highlighting the creation or production of terror.

instill terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'instill', suggesting a gradual implantation of terror in someone.

induce terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'induce', focusing on causing or bringing about terror.

spark terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'spark', conveying a sudden and immediate onset of terror.

foster terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'foster', emphasizing the encouragement and development of terror over time.

arouse terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'arouse', pointing to the stirring up or awakening of terror.

trigger terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'trigger', highlighting an action that sets off terror.

promote terror

Replaces 'inspire' with 'promote', emphasizing the active encouragement and spread of terror.

FAQs

How can I use "inspire terror" in a sentence?

You can use "inspire terror" to describe something that causes great fear or dread. For example, "The dictator's actions "inspire terror" in the hearts of his people."

What words can I use instead of "inspire terror"?

Alternatives to "inspire terror" include "incite terror", "provoke terror", or "instill terror", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "inspire terror"?

Yes, "inspire terror" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard verb-noun structure, where "inspire" is the verb and "terror" is the noun.

What is the difference between "inspire terror" and "inspired by terror"?

"Inspire terror" means to cause or create fear, whereas "inspired by terror" means to be motivated or influenced by fear. The first describes the action, and the second describes the motivation.