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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with "fear"

Different prepositions with "fear" describe causes of fear, emotional states, or actions influenced by fear.

Quick answer

How do you use prepositions with "fear"?

Use "fear of" for the thing someone fears. "In fear" means afraid or frightened. "Without fear" means confidently. "With fear" describes an emotion accompanying an action. "By fear" usually appears in passive or cause expressions such as "paralysed by fear."

She has a fear of heights.
The villagers lived in fear for years.
He was frozen by fear during the storm.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
fear of + noun

Naming the object of fear

This is the most common pattern with "fear."

Many people have a fear of flying.
2
in fear

Describing a frightened state

Use this phrase to show ongoing fear or anxiety.

The family lived in fear after the threats.
3
without fear

Showing confidence or courage

This phrase means not feeling afraid.

She spoke without fear in front of the crowd.
4
with fear

Showing an emotion accompanying an action

Use this structure when fear accompanies another feeling or action.

He watched with fear as the fire spread.
5
by fear

Showing fear as a cause

This use often follows passive verbs or adjectives.

The crowd was paralysed by fear.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
fear of
His fear of dogs began in childhood.
the thing that causes fear
in fear
They lived in fear of attack.
in a frightened condition
without fear
She entered the room without fear.
confidently or bravely
with fear
Her voice shook with fear.
showing fear as an accompanying emotion
by fear
He was controlled by fear.
fear acting as a cause or force

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using "fear for" instead of "fear of"

"Fear for" means worry about someone's safety, while "fear of" names the object of fear.

✕ She has fear for spiders. ✓ She has fear of spiders.

Confusing "in fear" and "with fear"

"In fear" describes a general state; "with fear" accompanies another action or feeling.

✓ They lived in fear for months.

Using "by fear" without a passive idea

"By fear" usually follows words showing cause or control.

✕ He walked by fear. ✓ He was driven by fear.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He has a fear ___ public speaking.
2. The villagers lived ___ fear after the attack.
3. She was paralysed ___ fear.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between "fear of" and "fear for"?

"Fear of" names what scares someone. "Fear for" means worry about someone's safety or future.

Is "in fear" formal?

It is common in both everyday and literary English when describing a fearful condition.

Can I say "with fear"?

Yes. It often describes an emotion accompanying speech, movement, or expression.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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