I am frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a feeling of fear or anxiety about a situation or event. Example: "As the thunderstorm approached, I realized I am frightened of loud noises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

I am frightened - I am frightened of everybody now".

The Guardian

'I am frightened of the racists – but I am more frightened of the police.

The Guardian

I am frightened.

The New York Times - Health

I am frightened - but no, she doesn't.

The Guardian

I am frightened it will move.

The New Yorker

I am frightened of the word".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I'm frightened.

The New York Times

"And I was frightened!

The New Yorker

— Because I'm frightened.

The New Yorker

Really, I'm frightened.

The New York Times

I admit I was frightened.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I am frightened," consider specifying the cause of your fear to provide clarity and context to your audience. For example, "I am frightened of heights" or "I am frightened by the increasing violence in the city."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when describing your fear. For instance, don't start with "I am frightened" and then switch to past tense without reason. Keep the tense consistent unless referring to a different time frame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am frightened" functions as a statement of feeling. Grammatically, it consists of a subject ("I"), a linking verb ("am"), and a predicate adjective ("frightened"). As Ludwig AI correctly identifies, this phrase is frequently used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I am frightened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express personal fear or anxiety. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is widely used in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure consistent tense and provide context to clearly convey the cause of your fear. Alternatives like "I feel afraid" or "I'm scared" can be used for similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I feel afraid

Changes the adjective "frightened" to "afraid" and uses the verb "feel" instead of "am".

I'm scared

Uses the adjective "scared", a more informal synonym for "frightened", and a contraction.

I'm feeling anxious

Replaces "frightened" with "anxious", focusing on the feeling of unease and worry.

I am apprehensive

Uses the more formal adjective "apprehensive" to express anxiety about a future event.

Fear grips me

Employs a metaphorical and dramatic way of expressing fear, shifting the focus from the subject to the emotion itself.

I'm filled with dread

Uses "dread" to emphasize a sense of impending doom and anxiety.

I am in fear

Rearranges the sentence structure, using the prepositional phrase "in fear".

I'm petrified

Replaces "frightened" with "petrified", indicating a state of extreme fear.

My heart is pounding

Focuses on a physical symptom of fear, highlighting the body's response to a frightening situation.

A wave of fear washes over me

Uses a figurative expression to describe the sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I am frightened"?

You can use alternatives like "I feel afraid", "I'm scared", or "I am apprehensive" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am frighten"?

No, "I am frighten" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I am frightened," where "frightened" is an adjective describing your state.

What is the difference between "I am frightened" and "I am afraid"?

Both "I am frightened" and "I am afraid" express a feeling of fear. While they are largely interchangeable, "I am afraid" can also be used to express politeness or regret, whereas "I am frightened" is primarily used to denote fear.

How to use "I am frightened" in a sentence?

You can use "I am frightened" to express a personal feeling of fear or anxiety, such as "I am frightened by the terrorist threat to the city's mass transit system" or "I am frightened that if I go and cannot come back, then who will feed my family and look after them?".