trembling with fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"trembling with fear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is trembling due to feeling scared or afraid. For example: "The ghost story left her trembling with fear as she tried to go back to sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

She arrived home, trembling with fear.

The New York Times

"I'm gay," he wrote, walking away and trembling with fear.

The New York Times

Trembling with fear, Daud Nayak, 56, submitted to a shaving, a Hindu sign of sacrifice.

The New York Times

"I was trembling with fear all through that first night," she said.

The New York Times

"He was trembling with fear," Kannan said, laughing, and the delight was all over his face.

The New York Times

She told him that they were tattooed, tough-looking men who were nevertheless "trembling with fear" as she questioned them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He was an introvert who trembled with fear every time gym class rolled around.

The New Yorker

"Whenever I see the military or police now I tremble with fear".

The Guardian

Mrs Linda Howard, of Runcorn, Lancashire, described how she had trembled with fear when she saw television pictures of the crush unfolding.

The Times

He trembled with fear when he was taken before an officer for interrogation and was in such a state of fright that he could not talk readily.

The New York Times

When they bought homes for more than $100,000, I trembled with fear that they would lose them, trapped as I was in the Depression mentality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "trembling with fear" to vividly convey their intense fear and physical response. This is particularly effective in narrative writing to immerse the reader in the scene.

Common error

Avoid using "trembling with fear" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "shaking with dread" or "paralyzed by terror" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trembling with fear" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the subject's state or condition. It provides a vivid detail of the subject's emotional and physical response to fear, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trembling with fear" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the physical manifestation of intense fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, as supported by the analysis of authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While synonyms like "shaking with fear" and "paralyzed with terror" exist, understanding the specific nuance of each can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. To avoid redundancy, it is best to vary word choice with semantically similar expressions. Ludwig provides a reliable resource for understanding and applying this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shaking with fear

Uses "shaking" instead of "trembling", slightly alters the imagery but conveys the same core meaning of fear-induced physical response.

quaking with fear

Replaces "trembling" with "quaking", emphasizing a more intense and involuntary physical reaction to fear.

paralyzed with fear

Indicates a state where fear inhibits action, suggesting an inability to move due to intense fear.

frozen with terror

Substitutes "fear" with "terror", denoting a more extreme level of fear, and uses "frozen" to imply immobility.

petrified with fear

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect of fear, suggesting a transformation into a statue-like state due to intense fear.

consumed by fear

Highlights the overwhelming nature of fear, suggesting that fear has taken over one's thoughts and actions.

gripped by fear

Suggests a strong, forceful hold that fear has on someone, implying a lack of control.

filled with dread

Shifts the focus to the anticipatory aspect of fear, emphasizing a feeling of impending doom or anxiety.

anxious and apprehensive

Replaces the physical manifestation with a description of the internal state of anxiety and unease.

scared stiff

An informal idiom indicating extreme fear leading to physical rigidity.

FAQs

How can I use "trembling with fear" in a sentence?

You can use "trembling with fear" to describe someone's physical reaction to intense fear. For example, "She was "trembling with fear" as she walked through the dark forest."

What are some alternatives to "trembling with fear"?

Alternatives include "shaking with fear", "paralyzed with fear", or "frozen with terror", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "trembling with fear"?

Yes, "trembling with fear" is grammatically correct. The phrase is widely used in literature and everyday language to describe someone's state of being scared.

What's the difference between "trembling with fear" and "shaking with fear"?

While both phrases describe a physical manifestation of fear, "trembling with fear" often suggests a more subtle or internal reaction, whereas "shaking with fear" might imply a more visible and intense physical response.