I felt afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I felt afraid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a personal emotional response to a situation or experience that caused fear. Example: "As I walked through the dark alley, I felt afraid of what might be lurking in the shadows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I felt afraid.

The New Yorker

"Why?" "Suddenly, I felt afraid.

The New Yorker

I felt afraid almost all of the time.

The New Yorker

"That was the first time I felt afraid, when I saw those men," Kum said.

The New York Times - Magazine

In truth I felt afraid of groupthink or of being on the outside, being perceived as a voyeur.

The Guardian

"I've never experienced any situation where I felt afraid, or obliged to accept a producer, actor, or director's approach.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"I feel afraid".

The New Yorker

I feel afraid of uncertainty.

The Guardian - Opinion

And then later: "He promised to take care of me, and yet I feel afraid".

The Guardian - Books

Lubna, 11, says: 'I feel afraid of the bulldozers and tanks, but throw stones at them because the Israelis are bad.

The Guardian

Thousands of similar protests have erupted across China recently, and the country's chief press regulator, Shi Zongyuan, unblushingly admitted in November: "When I think of the colour revolutions, I feel afraid".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I felt afraid" to express a personal emotional response to a specific situation or event that induced fear. Ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the fear for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "I felt afraid" without providing context about the source of fear. Vague statements can confuse the reader and weaken the emotional impact. Instead, specify what triggered the feeling of fear to create a more vivid and relatable experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I felt afraid" functions as a subject-verb-adjective construction, expressing a personal experience of fear. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to convey an emotional response. The verb "felt" acts as a linking verb, connecting the subject "I" to the adjective "afraid", which describes the subject's state of being.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Huffington Post

17%

The New Yorker

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I felt afraid" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a personal experience of fear. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions as a subject-verb-adjective construction and serves the purpose of communicating an emotional state. While versatile, it is often used in narrative contexts, especially within News & Media sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to provide context for the cause of fear. Alternative phrases, such as "I was scared" and "I was fearful", offer similar ways to express this emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was fearful

Focuses on the state of being filled with fear.

I was scared

Emphasizes a sudden feeling of alarm or fright.

I was frightened

Highlights the experience of being made afraid.

I experienced fear

Shifts focus to the experience of fear rather than the feeling.

I sensed danger

Implies a feeling of fear based on perceived threat.

Fear gripped me

Suggests a strong, overwhelming feeling of fear.

Panic set in

Highlights the onset of intense, uncontrolled fear.

I felt a sense of dread

Emphasizes a feeling of impending doom or anxiety.

Anxiety overwhelmed me

Focuses on the feeling of unease and worry.

I grew apprehensive

Suggests a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety or fear.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "I felt afraid"?

You can use alternatives like "I was fearful", "I was scared", or "I was frightened" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "I felt afraid" in a sentence?

Use "I felt afraid" to describe your emotional state in response to a particular situation. For example, "As the storm intensified, I felt afraid that the house wouldn't withstand the strong winds."

What's the difference between "I felt afraid" and "I felt fear"?

"I felt afraid" describes a state of being, while "I felt fear" emphasizes the experience of the emotion itself. The difference is subtle, but "I felt afraid" often implies a more prolonged or intense feeling.

Is it more appropriate to say "I felt afraid" or "I was afraid"?

Both "I felt afraid" and "I was afraid" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the specific rhythm of the sentence. "I felt afraid" might emphasize the sensory experience of the emotion slightly more.