plant fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plant fear" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the act of instilling or causing fear in someone or a group. An example could be: "The ominous news was meant to plant fear in the hearts of the citizens." Alternative expressions include "instill fear," "sow fear," and "generate fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For how else to beat terror but to sow hope where a terrorist would seek to plant fear?

The Guardian

"There was fear that the Army is incapable of running such a plant, fear that the aquatics programs would be problematic — many concerns".

The New York Times

Clemens is hardly the first fastball pitcher to direct a speeding baseball high and inside to brush batters back from the plate and plant fear in their minds.

The New York Times

Leonard Ursachi explained to an audience of two dozen or so — some in wheelchairs, some with attendants, some on folding chairs — that bunkers remind us where we belong, and plant fear in us, and represent a state of mind.

The New Yorker

If you plant fear, fear will grow.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Internet posts stated that the Shantou demonstrators, some of whom were hospitalized, were protesting plans to build a power plant, fearing that it would add to pollution and damage the local fishing industry.

The New York Times

In casting Mr. Gore as financially profligate and trying to plant fears that he might raise taxes, Mr. Bush sounded much like his father did in 1988, when then-Vice President George Bush waged a successful campaign for the presidency against Michael S. Dukakis, then the governor of Massachusetts.

The New York Times

He was better known, however, for his exploits as a commando in the resistance movement, in particular his role in a daring raid in 1943 on a Norwegian hydroelectric plant feared to be sought by Germany as a source of atomic power; after extensive planning, he and others successfully destroyed the facility's supply of heavy water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This has planted fear in the hearts of people.

The Guardian

He says ragwort is an unloved plant, a weed "that is never picked for posies, that grows between cracks in pavements, where other plants fear to grow".

The Guardian - Opinion

On at least three occasions, scores of workers fled their plants, fearing immigration raids.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plant fear" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and strategic effort to instill fear in someone's mind. It's particularly effective in contexts where the fear is intended to take root and grow.

Common error

Avoid using "plant fear" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "generate fear" or "create fear" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plant fear" functions as a verb phrase, where "plant" acts as a transitive verb taking "fear" as its direct object. It describes the action of instilling or introducing fear in a deliberate manner. Ludwig provides examples where it's used metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plant fear" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of deliberately instilling fear. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the expression is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "instill fear" or "sow fear" may be more common in certain contexts. When using "plant fear", consider its connotation of deliberate manipulation and adjust your language accordingly to maintain the desired tone. Ensure that this metaphorical phrase is not too informal for professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill fear

Replaces "plant" with "instill", focusing on the act of introducing fear.

sow fear

Uses "sow" instead of "plant", metaphorically suggesting the spreading of fear.

create fear

A more direct and less metaphorical way of expressing the same idea.

generate fear

Similar to "create fear", emphasizing the production of fear.

spread fear

Focuses on the dissemination of fear among a group.

foment fear

Suggests actively stirring up or promoting fear, often in a political context.

breed fear

Implies that fear is being cultivated or allowed to grow.

incite fear

Highlights the action of provoking fear in others.

arouse fear

Focuses on awakening or triggering fear.

trigger fear

Similar to "arouse fear", emphasizing a sudden onset of fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "plant fear" to describe the action of instilling fear in someone, such as: "The propaganda was designed to plant fear in the hearts of the enemy."

What can I say instead of "plant fear"?

You can use alternatives like "instill fear", "sow fear", or "create fear" depending on the context.

Is "plant fear" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "plant fear" is not as frequently used as other similar expressions like "instill fear". Ludwig suggests that it appears in a relatively limited number of contexts.

What's the connotation of using "plant fear"?

Using "plant fear" suggests a deliberate and somewhat insidious effort to introduce fear, implying that the fear is intended to take hold and spread.