Common Mistakes : Fear

Fear

BAD: I don’t go swimming because I fear of the water

GOOD: I don’t go swimming because I am afraid of the water

GOOD: I don’t go swimming because of my fear of the water

BAD: He fears to lose his job

GOOD: He is afraid of losing his job

GOOD: His fear is that he may lose his job

GOOD: He fears that he may lose his job

Fear is used mainly as a noun: ‘My worst fear is that I won’t be able to have children.’ ‘The whole of his life has been dominated by fear of failure

As a verb, fear is used mainly in formal styles to mean ‘be frightened about what may happen if you do something’: ‘Government officials fear that if they put up taxes, they may lose the election.’ ‘The rescuers feared that the remains of the building might collapse on top of them

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BAD: All these problems make me fear about the children’s future

GOOD: All these problems make me fear for the children’s future

fear for = be worried about the safety or well-being of someone: ‘The parents of the kidnapped child did not inform the police because they feared for her safety

BAD: Then I heard the voice again and I had fear

GOOD: Then I heard the voice again and I was afraid

BAD: I had fear of being alone

GOOD: I was afraid of being alone

BAD: She suddenly felt fear

GOOD: She suddenly felt afraid

be/feel afraid/frightened/scared (NOT feel/have fear ): ‘Don’t be afraid. The dog won’t hurt you.’ ‘There’s nothing to be scared of

Compare: have a fear of sth (= be afraid of something for a long time or all your life): ‘I’ve always had a fear of heights

BAD: It took me a long time to overcome my fear to fly

GOOD: It took me a long time to overcome my fear of flying

fear of (doing) sth : I have never been able to get over my fear of heights