Grow frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Grow frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of becoming scared or anxious over time or in response to a situation. Example: "As the storm approached, the children began to grow frightened, sensing the change in the atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes, as his Alzheimers' progressed, he would grow frightened, and clutch onto his wife's fragile arms, leaving bruises.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

President Harry Truman charged that such "scaremongers" had "created such a wave of fear and uncertainty that... people are growing frightened -- and frightened people don't protest".

Huffington Post

Afterward, she grew frightened.

The New York Times

When he approached her, she grew frightened and covered her face with her hands.

The New Yorker

I was growing frightened that I might not be able to cope.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Mr Kim's son, Kim Jung Nam, grew frightened of his father and rebellious at the continual confinement.

The Economist

With time, Miss Som Rasmey said, she grew frightened by the colonel's brutality and by increasing threats from his wife.

The New York Times

"I want to say, 'No, they don't pay attention to us.' " She said her name was Akram, then grew frightened and slipped into her house.

The New York Times

When the Palestinians poured into Egypt, suddenly, officials in both Jordan and Egypt — the only neighbors with peace treaties with Israel — grew frightened that Israel planned to solve its Palestinian problem by forcing Egypt to absorb Gaza, and Jordan the West Bank.

The New York Times

Approach the cage slowly and calmly until the bird grows frightened.

WikiHow

A generation of children grew up frightened by his legend and haunted by the image of his face.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Grow frightened" to describe a gradual increase in fear or anxiety, often in response to a developing situation. It emphasizes the process of becoming scared, rather than a sudden onset of fear.

Common error

Avoid using "Grow frightened" to describe instances of sudden, immediate fear. Opt for phrases like "become scared" or "get frightened" when describing instantaneous reactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow frightened" functions as a verb phrase, where "grow" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "frightened." As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow frightened" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a gradual increase in fear or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase found in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While not as common as alternatives like "get scared", "grow frightened" emphasizes the process of becoming afraid over time. When using this phrase, remember to consider the gradual nature of the developing fear to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Become afraid

Simple substitution of synonyms; less emphasis on gradual development of fear.

Start to fear

Focuses on the initiation of fear, rather than its development.

Get scared

More informal and emphasizes the immediate reaction.

Turn fearful

Highlights the transformation into a state of fear.

Develop anxiety

Focuses on the development of anxiety, which is a broader term than fear.

Begin to worry

Implies a more subdued and prolonged state of unease.

Become apprehensive

More formal and suggests a sense of foreboding.

Fall into a panic

Emphasizes a sudden and overwhelming onset of fear.

Get anxious

Similar to "get scared", but with a focus on anxiety.

Start feeling fear

Emphasizes the initial sensation of fear.

FAQs

What does "grow frightened" mean?

The phrase "grow frightened" describes a gradual increase in fear or anxiety. It suggests that the feeling of fear develops over time or in response to a situation.

Is it correct to say "grow frightened"?

Yes, "grow frightened" is grammatically correct and understandable in English. It is used to describe the process of becoming increasingly scared.

What are some alternatives to "grow frightened"?

You can use alternatives such as "become afraid", "start to fear", or "get scared" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "grow frightened" instead of "get frightened"?

"Grow frightened" is best used when describing a gradual increase in fear, while "get frightened" implies a more immediate reaction.