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Beluga Angel
Why does it have to be 'fear of the unknon' instead of 'the fear of the unknown'? it feels like the word fear is about specific area(the unknown), not about everything I feel like I have to use 'the' infront of the word fear? I asked this question in another community and a native speaker said either may be correct, depending on the precise context. I wonder if I could get examples for both cases?
Nov 8, 2023 8:25 AM
Answers · 2
1
If you are talking about having a ‘fear of something’ you always need to say ‘a’. If you are talking more generally, either ‘a’ ‘the’ or no article can sometimes be used.
Dad developed a fear of heights. (Article required, not ‘the’.)
The/a// fear of open spaces is called ‘agoraphobia’. (All 3 options work but I would naturally say ‘the’)
Q. What’s your biggest fear?
A. The fear of snakes. (Article required, not ‘a’. You are already talking about fears. This specifies which one)
Q.Why didn’t he take the job.
A. Fear of the unknown. (The answer wasn’t necessarily a fear)
November 8, 2023
I think ‘unknon’ is a typo.
It is unknown to me.
November 8, 2023
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Beluga Angel
Language Skills
English, Korean
Learning Language
English
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