I Fear
Stable🎒High SchoolDefinition
Used to introduce an uncomfortable truth or a dramatic opinion. 'I fear she's not coming back' = 'I think she's not coming back and that makes me uncomfortable.'
Translation for Parents
It's a dramatic way to express concern or share an awkward truth. 'I fear the leftovers have gone bad' is how your teen might tell you the fridge situation is dire. It's theatrical worry. Shakespeare wishes he invented this construction.
Examples
“I fear this is the worst take I've ever seen”
“I'm uncomfortable reporting that this is the worst opinion I've ever encountered”
“I fear we're cooked for this exam”
“I'm afraid we're all going to fail this exam”
Cringe Score
Mildly embarrassing
Starting sentences with 'I fear' gives you a literary quality that's somehow both pretentious and casual. It works. Trust the process.
Category
filler
Peak
2024-06
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
tiktok, reddit