look in fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look in fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is gazing or glancing at something with a sense of fear or apprehension. Example: "As the thunderstorm approached, the children looked in fear at the darkening sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They look in fear at neighboring Indonesia and the Philippines, which are battling Muslim insurgencies.

The New York Times

There's one now!" and I would turn and look in fear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Amid displays of prowess, the two ballerinas more than once stop to look out in fear, the one protecting the other.

The New York Times - Arts

As we walked past these people, I always looked sideways in fear.

Vice

A famous vase in the British Museum, which gave the Troilos Painter the name by which he is now known, shows the two Trojans looking back in fear, as the beautiful youth whips his horse on.

Wikipedia

By Antonia Paradela BALOCHISTAN, Pakistan, 31 October 2008 – Sabnan Guldin, 3, is trying to bite an apple but suddenly looks up in fear as strangers enter the family compound.

Unicef

Sabnan's story: Support for the most vulnerable in Pakistan quake aftermath BALOCHISTAN, Pakistan, 31 October 2008 – Sabnan Guldin, 3, is trying to bite an apple but suddenly looks up in fear as strangers enter the family compound.

Unicef

By Antonia Paradela Ziarat district, Balochistan province, 31 October 2008 – Sabnan Guldin, a small three year old boy, is trying to bite an apple but suddenly looks up in fear as strangers enter his family's compound.

Unicef

Reaching out to the children affected by the Pakistan earthquake Ziarat district, Balochistan province, 31 October 2008 – Sabnan Guldin, a small three year old boy, is trying to bite an apple but suddenly looks up in fear as strangers enter his family's compound.

Unicef

Last year, every time I went up to a colleague, they would look at me in fear.

The Guardian

You looked at her in fear and wonder.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "look in fear" to vividly depict a character's reaction to something frightening or threatening, adding emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "look in fear" excessively, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms or showing fear through actions and body language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look in fear" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which someone is looking. It adds detail about the emotional state associated with the action of looking. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look in fear" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's fearful gaze. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its reliability. While synonyms like "gaze in terror" or "stare in fright" offer alternatives, understanding its appropriate usage helps writers effectively convey a character's emotional state. Keep in mind that while it is considered acceptable to use "look in fear" you should not overuse it. Variety in word choice enhances your writing, making it more vivid and engaging for your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaze in terror

Replaces "look" with "gaze" and "fear" with "terror" to intensify the emotion.

stare in fright

Substitutes "look" with "stare" and "fear" with "fright", suggesting a sudden shock.

peer anxiously

Replaces "look in fear" with "peer anxiously" focusing on the nervous observation.

glance apprehensively

Emphasizes the quick, wary nature of the look, highlighting the uncertainty.

observe with trepidation

Replaces "look" with "observe" and uses "trepidation" to denote a fearful anticipation.

watch with alarm

Changes "look" to "watch" and "fear" to "alarm", pointing to sudden anxiety.

view with dread

Substituting "look" with "view" and "fear" with "dread" suggests a feeling of impending doom.

regard with horror

Emphasizes the intensity of the fear with the use of "horror"

survey nervously

Changes "look" to "survey" and "fear" to "nervously", implying a detailed, anxious examination.

see with unease

Replacing "look" with "see" and using "unease" softens the intensity of the emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "look in fear" to describe someone's reaction to a frightening situation, such as: "The child "looked in fear" at the approaching storm".

What are some alternatives to "look in fear"?

Alternatives include "gaze in terror", "stare in fright", or "peer anxiously", each carrying a slightly different nuance of fear.

Is it more appropriate to use "look in fear" or "look with fear"?

"Look in fear" and "look with fear" are both grammatically correct, but "look in fear" is more concise and commonly used. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and rhythm of your sentence.

When is it better to show fear through actions rather than saying someone "looked in fear"?

Showing fear through actions (trembling, backing away) can be more impactful than stating someone ""looked in fear"" especially in dramatic or suspenseful scenes. This approach allows the reader to infer the character's emotion, creating a stronger connection.