without fear of arrest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without fear of arrest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is acting freely or openly, without the concern of being apprehended by law enforcement. Example: "The protesters marched through the streets without fear of arrest, expressing their views on social justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He could go anywhere he wanted without fear of arrest.

The New Yorker

We can help you to return home voluntarily without fear of arrest or detention".

The Guardian

De Beers executives should now be free to travel to America to conduct business without fear of arrest.

The Economist

So this morning I was able to post my letter without fear of arrest, and that feels very good indeed.

The Guardian

They wanted to be able to gather publicly without fear of arrest or aggression from the police.

The New Yorker

Israel subsequently demanded a change in UK law that would allow her to travel without fear of arrest.

The Guardian

Yes, we can now have political arguments at roadside tea shops and openly commemorate anniversaries of military crackdowns, including the 1988 uprising, without fear of arrest.

The New York Times

Heroism can't be undertaken prescriptively, and those of us who write and make art without fear of arrest should pause before accusing Zhao of collaboration or cowardice.

The New Yorker

Much better, I suggest, to go to Mexico, Canada or another country where a 19-year-old can safely enjoy a drink in moderation without fear of arrest.

Independent

"For example," it said, "residents will be able to walk their dog within the extraordinary event boundaries without fear of arrest".

The New York Times

During the boom years, Mr. Davidson said, Westerners in particular could normally violate morality laws without fear of arrest, and prostitution was widespread, though there were exceptions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without fear of arrest" to emphasize the importance of feeling secure in specific situations, such as encouraging people to report crimes or participate in protests. It highlights the absence of legal repercussions as a crucial element of freedom or safety.

Common error

Avoid using "without fear of arrest" when the actual concern is something broader, like general persecution or legal harassment. The phrase specifically addresses arrest, not other forms of legal or social repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without fear of arrest" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the circumstances under which an action is performed. As Ludwig indicates, it expresses the condition of being free from the worry or possibility of being apprehended by law enforcement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without fear of arrest" is a frequently used and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that functions adverbially to describe situations where individuals can act freely without concern for legal apprehension. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase commonly appears in News & Media, denoting a sense of security and encouraging certain actions. The phrase offers a range of semantically related alternatives such as "without risk of arrest" and "free from the threat of arrest". Writers should use it to emphasize freedom from legal repercussions but should avoid using it when a broader scope of protection is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without risk of arrest

Replaces "fear" with "risk", focusing on the probability of arrest rather than the emotional state.

free from the threat of arrest

Uses "threat" to emphasize the potential danger of arrest, highlighting a sense of security.

safe from arrest

Focuses on the state of being protected or secure from the possibility of arrest.

immune to arrest

Indicates a legal protection or exemption from being arrested.

not subject to arrest

Emphasizes that someone or something is excluded from the possibility of being arrested.

beyond the reach of the law

Suggests a broader exemption from legal consequences, not just arrest.

with impunity

Implies that actions can be performed without any punishment, including arrest.

unrestrained by legal concerns

Highlights the lack of legal limitations or restrictions on one's actions.

able to act freely

Focuses on the freedom of action, with the implication of not being restricted by legal concerns.

without legal consequence

Broader in scope, indicating no legal repercussions of any kind, not just arrest.

FAQs

How can I rephrase “without fear of arrest”?

You can use alternatives like "without risk of arrest", "free from the threat of arrest", or "immune to arrest" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase “without fear of arrest”?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that individuals can act freely because they are protected from legal apprehension for specific actions or within certain contexts.

What is the difference between “without fear of arrest” and “without fear of prosecution”?

“Without fear of arrest” means someone won't be taken into custody. “Without fear of prosecution” means they won't be formally charged with a crime. The latter is a broader protection than the former.

Is it grammatically correct to say “without fear of arrests” (plural)?

While grammatically understandable, “without fear of arrests” is less common and less idiomatic than “"without fear of arrest"”. The singular form is typically used to express a general lack of concern about being arrested.