instills fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instills fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that causes or creates a sense of fear or anxiety in others. Example: "The ominous storm clouds instill fear in the hearts of those who see them approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Now it is Serena who instills fear in her opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

Our President instills fear in order to maintain control.

The New Yorker

To justify budget requests, cyber leaders inevitably incorporate headline news that instills fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It sits firmly on its base, but instills fear with its sharp points.

MIT Technology Review

This is the real terrorism in the United States and elsewhere, the force that actually instills fear and limits freedom for many of us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nothing instills fear like cancer: a sometimes unseen and unfelt but murderous presence inside the body that sets out to destroy the body.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Wake up to the fact that driving people generates pressure, comes off as a threat, or instills fear--strategies empirically proven to diminish the quality of people's work, stifle innovation, endanger mental and physical health, and prohibit sustainable performance.

Huffington Post

They will instill fear.

The New York Times

They use their positions to instill fear.

The Washington Post

"We don't instill fear in anyone anymore," Allan Houston acknowledged.

The New York Times - Sports

This morning's announcement will instill fear that Google is a combatant.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instills fear", consider the intensity of the emotion you want to convey. Alternatives like "provokes fear" or "creates apprehension" can offer nuanced shades of meaning. Ensure the subject of the phrase logically aligns with the action of causing fear.

Common error

Avoid using "instills fear" when the subject does not logically cause fear. For example, saying "kindness instills fear" is contradictory unless explained with further context. Ensure the subject's nature and actions align with causing fear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instills fear" functions as a verb phrase where "instills" is the verb indicating causation and "fear" is the direct object. It describes the act of causing or creating a feeling of fear in someone or something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used to express the act of generating fear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instills fear" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing something that causes fear. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and practicality. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and academic contexts, lending it a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure the subject logically causes fear and consider alternative phrasings such as "provokes fear" or "creates apprehension" to fine-tune the desired intensity. Be mindful of potential misattribution errors to maintain clarity and logical consistency in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provokes fear

Replaces "instills" with "provokes", changing the verb while maintaining the core meaning of causing fear.

creates a sense of dread

Uses a noun phrase to describe the feeling caused, rather than directly stating the action of instilling fear.

generates apprehension

Employs "generates" as a verb to indicate the creation of apprehension, a synonym for fear.

arouses terror

Substitutes "instills" with "arouses" and "fear" with "terror", heightening the intensity of the emotion.

induces panic

Replaces "fear" with "panic", indicating a more severe and sudden onset of fear.

promotes anxiety

Focuses on the creation of anxiety, a state of worry and unease related to fear.

fosters intimidation

Shifts the focus to creating a feeling of being intimidated, which results from fear of a perceived threat.

plants seeds of fear

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the gradual introduction of fear.

causes trepidation

Utilizes "causes" as a direct verb and "trepidation" as a more formal synonym for fear.

exacerbates unease

Indicates the worsening of a pre-existing state of unease, implying a build-up of fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "instills fear" to describe something that causes a feeling of fear or dread in someone. For example, "The dictator's policies instilled fear in the population."

What are some synonyms for "instills fear"?

Alternatives to "instills fear" include "provokes fear", "creates a sense of dread", or "generates apprehension".

Is "instills fear" formal or informal language?

"Instills fear" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for news articles, academic writing, and professional communication. More informal alternatives might exist depending on the context.

What is the difference between "instills fear" and "creates anxiety"?

"Instills fear" typically refers to a more immediate and intense feeling of fright, while "creates anxiety" refers to a state of worry and unease that may be prolonged. Both phrases describe negative emotions, but their intensity and duration differ.