triggers fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "triggers fear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation, event, or stimulus that causes someone to feel fear or anxiety. Example: "The sudden loud noise triggers fear in many people, especially those who have experienced trauma."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And pain is what triggers fear, because that's what fear is, really.

BBC

Such fatal violence not only triggers fear among communities, but also victimizes many individuals, including the family of the victim.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

After successful extinction of conditioned fear, the presentation of an unsignaled unconditioned stimulus (US) leads to return of fear, thus, the previously extinguished conditioned stimulus (CS) triggers fear responses again.

International Journal of Psychophysiology

What triggers fear in you?

Huffington Post

A proposal, while initially exciting, for many people triggers fear, grief, and uncertainty.

Huffington Post

The news triggers fear and fury, made worse by Sam's pleas that he treat his father with respect and climaxing in an explosion that reveals a racial, social and economic chasm that has infected even a well-meaning young man.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The buzzword 'low-carbon recovery' triggers fears of protectionism being introduced through the back door," said Lord Malloch Brown.

The Guardian

Just over a half-century later, the term "anti-rightist" still triggers fears that Chinese people have been trying to forget.

The New York Times

But each bout of violence triggers fears of a return to war and this is the worst yet.The current fighting is due to increased polarisation in the run up to the newly elected parliament convening on August 4th.

The Economist

2. Attention Slap: An open-handed slap aimed at causing pain and triggering fear.

The Guardian

Robirds have flapping wings and are designed to mimic the real creatures, producing a silhouette to trigger fear in the creatures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "triggers fear" to describe an immediate, reactive response to a specific stimulus, making it clear that the fear is a direct consequence of that trigger.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing what "triggers fear". Active voice makes the sentence more direct and impactful. Instead of "Fear is triggered by...", use "...triggers fear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "triggers fear" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "triggers" acts as a transitive verb and "fear" is the direct object. Ludwig shows that this construction describes the act of initiating a feeling of fear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "triggers fear" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes how certain stimuli or events cause feelings of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. It is most often found in news, science, and wiki contexts, and while relatively uncommon, it is appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure you're using active voice to create a direct and impactful sentence. Consider alternatives like "provokes fear" or "instills fear" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provokes fear

Uses "provokes" instead of "triggers", highlighting the elicitation of fear as a response.

Instills fear

Replaces "triggers" with "instills", focusing on the act of implanting fear.

Causes apprehension

Substitutes "fear" with "apprehension", softening the intensity of the emotion.

Elicits anxiety

Replaces "fear" with "anxiety", focusing on a state of worry and unease.

Sparks terror

Uses "sparks" and "terror" for a more dramatic and intense expression of fear induction.

Incites panic

Replaces "fear" with "panic", emphasizing a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear.

Generates unease

Focuses on creating a general feeling of discomfort and anxiety rather than explicit fear.

Prompts alarm

Highlights the action of causing a sense of danger and alert.

Fosters dread

Emphasizes the cultivation of a feeling of intense apprehension.

Creates trepidation

Replaces "fear" with "trepidation", indicating a state of anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

FAQs

What does "triggers fear" mean?

The phrase "triggers fear" means to cause a sudden feeling of fear or anxiety in someone. It describes a stimulus or event that initiates a fearful response.

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

You can use "triggers fear" to describe a situation, event, or stimulus that causes someone to feel fear or anxiety. For example: "The sudden loud noise "triggers fear" in many people, especially those who have experienced trauma."

What can I say instead of "triggers fear"?

You can use alternatives like "provokes fear", "instills fear", or "causes apprehension" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "triggers fear" and "creates anxiety"?

"Triggers fear" suggests an immediate, reactive response, whereas "creates anxiety" implies a more prolonged or ongoing state of worry and unease. Fear is typically a more intense, immediate reaction than anxiety.