Cool MateFear vs State of panic
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fear
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
State of panic
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Fear
| Fear | State of panic | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fɪr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //steɪt əv ˈpænɪk//🇺🇸 //steɪt əv ˈpænɪk// |
| Meaning | A strong feeling of being afraid or scared. | A feeling of extreme fear or worry. |
| Example | Her fear of heights kept her from climbing the mountain. | During the emergency, everyone was in a state of panic. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | big, deep, deep-seated, experience, feel, have, abate, subside, grow, for fear of, in fear, in fear of, fear and loathing, fear and trembling, fear and trepidation | in a state of panic, cause a state of panic, fall into a state of panic |
| Antonyms | courage, confidence, bravery | calmness, composure, peace |
| Common mistakes | 'Fear' is often confused with 'scared', but 'fear' is a noun and 'scared' is an adjective., 'Fear' is sometimes incorrectly used with 'of' when it should be 'fear for' someone's safety. | Using 'state of panic' when referring to mild concern., Confusing it with 'panic state', which is less common., Using it inappropriately in a non-serious context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fear' to describe emotions or phobias. It can be formal or informal. Avoid in casual, light-hearted conversations. | Used to describe a situation where someone is very scared or anxious. Appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using in light-hearted conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fear vs State of panic
What's the difference between Fear and State of panic?
Fear: A strong feeling of being afraid or scared. State of panic: A feeling of extreme fear or worry.
Which is more common: Fear and State of panic?
Fear is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fear: Her fear of heights kept her from climbing the mountain. State of panic: During the emergency, everyone was in a state of panic.
Can I use Fear and State of panic interchangeably?
Not always. Fear and State of panic are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.