spark terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spark terror" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety in others, often in a dramatic or intense way. Example: "The sudden appearance of the storm clouds seemed to spark terror among the villagers, who feared a repeat of last year's disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the boat sailed, leading the way for a large cargo ship which was followed by another three, the ice lay silent aside from some strange whistling sounds which were very faint and did not spark terror in my soul.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The orders then sparked terror in the ranks.

The Economist

A shooting spree, lasting minutes and spanning several blocks, had sparked terror in the busy area.

The Guardian

"Print and Shoot" blared Monday's front-page headline over the subheading, "Gun from 3-D copier sparks terror fears".

The New York Times - Arts

The prospect of savings being so savagely docked sparked terror among the island's resident British community.

The Guardian

Once there, the Macedonians twice tried to stop people entering, blocking the way with a line of policemen and troops, sparking terror and pandemonium.

The Guardian

During the hearing, CCTV was shown of the first moments of panic as gunfire and explosions echoed through the museum's white stone corridors, sparking terror and confusion among dozens of tourists.

The Guardian

Also this year, my friend Laolu Opebiyi was kicked off a flight at Luton airport when a Christian prayer message on his phone sparked a terror alert.

The Guardian - Opinion

My arms were covered in goosebumps sparked by terror as the shooter's camera crept up to the trio filming the fluffy feature piece for WDBJ morning show.

Huffington Post

Police have used live bullets in a major terror drill at a university in Kenya, sparking panic across the campus and reportedly leaving some students injured in the rush to escape.

Independent

Orson Welles famously sparked panic in America when he narrated a radio adaptation of H G Wells's The War of the Worlds, a news report of an alien invasion, so convincingly that the public began packing their bags in terror.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spark terror" when you want to describe an action or event that immediately causes widespread and intense fear.

Common error

Avoid using "spark terror" in situations where the fear is mild or only affects a small group of people. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing seem overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spark terror" functions as a verb phrase where "spark" acts as a verb indicating the initiation or causation of something, and "terror" serves as a noun representing the intense fear or dread that is initiated. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spark terror" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression, particularly in news and media contexts, to describe situations that suddenly cause intense fear or dread. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse, particularly in situations where the fear is not genuinely significant. Alternatives like "ignite fear", "trigger panic", or "instill dread" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. When using "spark terror", focus on highlighting the immediacy and impact of the fear being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignite fear

Changes "spark" to "ignite", emphasizing a sudden and intense onset of fear.

instill dread

Replaces "terror" with "dread", suggesting a more prolonged and pervasive sense of fear.

trigger panic

Shifts the focus to "panic", highlighting a sudden and overwhelming anxiety response.

evoke fear

Uses "evoke" instead of "spark", suggesting a more gradual creation of fear.

generate alarm

Focuses on creating "alarm", indicating a sense of heightened awareness and concern.

arouse apprehension

Replaces "terror" with "apprehension", denoting a milder form of anxiety or unease.

incite fear

Emphasizes the active encouragement of fear with the verb "incite".

create a climate of fear

Shifts the focus to establishing an environment dominated by fear.

give rise to terror

More formal phrasing to indicate the beginning of terror.

stir up fear

Uses "stir up" to convey a sense of actively agitating or provoking fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "spark terror" to describe an event or action that suddenly causes widespread fear. For example, "The sudden explosion "sparked terror" throughout the city".

What's a less dramatic alternative to "spark terror"?

If you want to convey a milder sense of fear or unease, you could use alternatives like "cause anxiety" or "generate concern".

Is it appropriate to use "spark terror" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "spark terror" can sound sensational. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "raise alarm" or "cause apprehension" for a more subdued tone.

What is the difference between "spark terror" and "instill fear"?

"Spark terror" implies a sudden and immediate onset of fear, while "instill fear" suggests a gradual and deliberate process of creating fear.