Get frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Get frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of becoming scared or alarmed in a situation. Example: "When the thunderstorm hit, I could see the children get frightened by the loud noises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But people get frightened.

The New York Times

People get frightened.

The New York Times

No. 1, I don't get frightened easily.

The New York Times

Watching them get frightened, my symptoms lifted.

The New York Times

And Daron does not get frightened.

The New York Times - Sports

But with a steady derermination, Ben begins to get frightened.

The New Yorker

There are times when volunteers get frightened and concerned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Change is right with us, and you can get frightened".

The Guardian - Books

When I think about it I get frightened, so I try not to think about it".

The New York Times

Her daughter was worried lest little Robert, her grandson, hear the old lady and get frightened.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"a lot of them get frightened…if you don't get told about something [menopause] you think you are sick".

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Get frightened" to describe a specific instance of someone becoming scared, rather than a general state of fear. For example: "The loud noise made the baby get frightened."

Common error

In academic or professional contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "become afraid" or "grow fearful" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Get frightened" functions as a verb phrase, specifically describing the process of becoming scared. It is used to indicate a transition from a state of calm to one of fear. Ludwig confirms that is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

39%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Get frightened" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of becoming scared or afraid. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. It's usage is especially prevalent in news, media and wiki sources. Be aware of the common mistake to overuse the term in formal writing instead of using more suitable alternatives such as "become afraid", "grow fearful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get scared

Uses a more common and informal synonym for "frightened".

Become scared

Substitutes "frightened" with "scared", offering a more common synonym.

Become afraid

Replaces "get" with "become" for a more formal tone.

Start to fear

Indicates the beginning of feeling fear.

Become alarmed

Focuses on the sudden feeling of danger or threat.

Grow fearful

Emphasizes a gradual increase in fear.

Develop a fear

Suggests a more lasting or significant fear.

Be overcome with fear

Highlights the intensity of the fear.

Be seized by fear

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming nature of the fear.

Feel apprehensive

Expresses a sense of unease or anxiety.

FAQs

What does "Get frightened" mean?

"Get frightened" means to become scared or afraid. It describes the process of experiencing fear in response to something.

Is it better to say "Get frightened" or "Get scared"?

Both "Get frightened" and "Get scared" are correct, but "Get scared" is generally considered more common and informal.

What can I say instead of "Get frightened"?

You can use alternatives like "become afraid", "become scared", or "grow fearful" depending on the context.

How can I use "Get frightened" in a sentence?

You can use "Get frightened" in sentences like: "The children often get frightened by loud noises.", or "Don't get frightened if the dog barks; he's friendly."