He was terrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "He was terrified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's intense fear or anxiety in a specific situation. Example: "As the thunderstorm raged outside, he was terrified, unable to move from his spot on the couch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was terrified".

The New York Times

He was terrified of heights.

The New York Times

He was terrified, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was terrified of my aunt.

The New York Times

He was terrified and felt helpless.

The New York Times

"He was terrified of going back".

The New York Times

He was terrified of Carole.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was terrified of death.

The New Yorker

He was terrified, asking for more rehearsals.

The New York Times

He was terrified they wouldn't love him.

The Guardian

He was terrified of being displaced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: Does "he was terrified" accurately reflect the intensity of fear, or would a stronger or milder term be more appropriate?

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "he was terrified" to convey fear. Employ varied descriptions of physical reactions (trembling, sweating) or internal thoughts to enrich the portrayal and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was terrified" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of intense fear experienced by a male subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase clearly and directly expresses a character's emotional state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was terrified" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a state of intense fear. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, formal communication, and scientific writing. While effective, remember to consider alternative expressions and descriptive language to provide depth and variety to your writing. By using this phrase judiciously and considering its alternatives such as "he was petrified" or "he was frightened", you can effectively convey the emotional state of fear in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He was petrified

Emphasizes a stronger sense of fear, bordering on being paralyzed by it.

He was in a state of terror

Highlights the extreme intensity of the fear experienced.

He was scared stiff

Indicates extreme fear that causes physical immobility.

He was seized by fear

Suggests a sudden and powerful onset of fear.

He was frightened

A more general term for being afraid; less intense than "terrified".

He was in a panic

Indicates a sudden, overwhelming feeling of fear and loss of control.

He was filled with dread

Conveys a heavy sense of impending doom or fear.

He was quaking in his boots

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme fear and nervousness.

He was anxious

Suggests worry and unease, which may or may not stem from a specific fear.

He was apprehensive

Implies a feeling of dread or anticipation of something negative.

FAQs

What does "he was terrified" mean?

The phrase "he was terrified" indicates that a male person experienced a high level of fear, alarm, or dread.

What can I say instead of "he was terrified"?

You can use alternatives like "he was petrified", "he was scared stiff", or "he was frightened" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was terrified"?

Yes, the phrase "he was terrified" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" with the adjective "terrified" to describe a state of being.

How to use "he was terrified" in a sentence?

You can use "he was terrified" to describe someone's fear in a specific situation. For example, "When the lights went out, "he was terrified" of the dark."