lingering fears

USAGE SUMMARY

"lingering fears" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used whenever there are fears that remain or persist, even after something has passed or been addressed. Example: Despite winning the competition, there were still lingering fears for the gymnast as she prepared for the upcoming Olympic trials. She couldn't shake off the doubts that she might not make the team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ms Royal will be keen to exploit lingering fears about Mr Sarkozy's divisiveness, however subliminally.

The Economist

Many people had been reluctant to travel because of the economy and lingering fears of terrorism.

The New York Times

But the Fed's job could be complicated by lingering fears of inflation.

The New York Times

That leaves lingering fears over the prospects for exports to our key trading partner, the eurozone.

The Guardian - Business

I have close friends who could no longer drive because of their lingering fears of roadside bombs.

The New York Times

This reflects not only lingering fears of a pro-Qaddafi fifth column, but continued shortages and the exodus of foreign workers.

The Economist

The rally that began amid lingering fears of a depression and collapse of the global financial system passed its first birthday last month.

The New York Times

Mr. Berlusconi was playing to an audience of Italian voters with potent memories and perhaps lingering fears of Communists in their midst.

The New York Times

Added to that are travelers' lingering fears over terrorism, the continued conflict in Iraq and the imminent resumption of security fees on airplane tickets.

The New York Times

Page A30 VACCINES EXONERATED ON AUTISM A federal court issued three verdicts on Thursday that should help end lingering fears that childhood vaccines can and have caused autism.

The New York Times

While international travel remains weak because of SARS and lingering fears about terrorism, domestic travel is showing some signs of picking up, some travel companies said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lingering fears" to describe anxieties that persist even after an initial cause has been addressed. For example, "Despite the economic recovery, lingering fears of another recession continue to affect consumer confidence."

Common error

Avoid using "lingering fears" to describe minor or fleeting concerns. This phrase implies a significant level of unease that continues over a period. Instead, use "minor concerns" or "passing doubts" for trivial issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering fears" functions as a noun phrase, where "lingering" is an adjective modifying the noun "fears". It describes the type of fears, specifically those that persist or remain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lingering fears" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, referring to anxieties that persist even after an event or situation has passed. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects sustained and significant anxieties. Consider alternatives like "persisting worries" or "remaining anxieties" to fine-tune your message. Avoid using it for trivial concerns. The phrase serves to communicate a persistent unease that affects decision-making and public sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingering anxieties

Replaces "fears" with a direct synonym, maintaining the original structure.

remaining anxieties

Focuses on the anxieties that have not yet disappeared.

persisting worries

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the worries.

ongoing concerns

Highlights the active and unresolved nature of the concerns.

unresolved apprehensions

Highlights the lack of resolution for the feelings of worry.

unfading concerns

Emphasizes the concerns have not diminished over time.

durable anxieties

Stresses the lasting nature of the anxieties.

abiding worries

Suggests the worries are constantly present.

haunting dreads

Focuses on how the fears negatively influence one's state of mind.

presentiments of doom

Highlights feelings about negative and inevitable future.

FAQs

How can I use "lingering fears" in a sentence?

You can use "lingering fears" to describe persistent anxieties that remain even after the initial cause has subsided. For example, "Despite the new safety measures, there are "lingering fears" among employees about returning to the office".

What are some alternatives to "lingering fears"?

Alternatives include "remaining anxieties", "persisting worries", or "ongoing concerns", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ongoing fears" instead of "lingering fears"?

While "ongoing fears" is grammatically correct, "lingering fears" often suggests that the fears persist from a previous event or situation, adding a layer of historical context that "ongoing fears" might not capture.

What's the difference between "lingering fears" and "general anxieties"?

"Lingering fears" typically relate to a specific past event or situation, whereas "general anxieties" are more diffuse and may not have a clear origin. "Lingering fears" are often connected to a particular cause.