I was extremely scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was extremely scared" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a high level of fear or anxiety about a situation in the past. Example: "When I heard the loud noise outside, I was extremely scared and didn't know what to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I was extremely scared and realised there's no life for me in Kandahar.

BBC

"I was extremely scared.

Unicef

The following quote illustrates the deliberative over-ride of emotional responses for someone who found a possible cancer symptom: "I was extremely scared.

BMJ Open

"I was extremely scared," Hamels said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was extremely scared as I had never seen her like this before".

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I'm extremely scared.

The New York Times - Sports

Or... 1.32pm: Can I just say that I hope you appreciate the (genuine) pic above as I'm extremely scared of octopi and it was quite traumatic to crop.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone was extremely scared and afraid".

The Guardian

"They told him he was going to be sent back to Jordan and he was extremely scared... [it] meant to him the end of his life.

The Guardian

In the reality context of multiple separations from her mother, the daughter said she was extremely scared that the mother would give her away forever and when she was returned to the mother, she did everything to avoid this (i.e. was very quiet, honest, well-behaved and easy-going).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

That doesn't mean I am "happy" about where the nation is – I am extremely scared, just as I am scared about the future of Europe in a parallel assault on its democracies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a personal experience, use "I was extremely scared" to emphasize the intensity of your fear. Provide specific details about the situation to help the reader understand why you felt that way.

Common error

While "I was extremely scared" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "terrified", "frightened", or descriptive phrases to maintain the reader's engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was extremely scared" functions as a statement of feeling or emotion. It conveys a personal experience of intense fear and is frequently used in narratives to express vulnerability or reaction to a frightening situation. Ludwig examples show it in a variety of contexts, supporting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was extremely scared" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a strong feeling of fear. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. For variety, consider alternatives like "I was terrified" or "I felt frightened". When writing, provide context to amplify the impact of the emotion and avoid overuse. With its clear emotional expression, the phrase serves to connect with audiences in narrative and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was frightened

This is a more common and direct synonym for "scared", conveying a similar level of fear.

I was fearful

A formal and slightly less common synonym for "scared".

I felt terrified

This alternative uses a stronger word, "terrified", to indicate a higher degree of fear.

I was scared stiff

Emphasizes the physical reaction to fear, becoming rigid or frozen.

I was petrified

This suggests an even more intense fear, bordering on being paralyzed by it.

I felt a surge of terror

Highlights the sudden and intense onset of fear.

I was in a state of panic

Highlights the disorienting and overwhelming nature of the fear.

I trembled with fear

This focuses on the physical manifestation of fear through trembling.

I was apprehensive

This implies a milder fear, more akin to anxiety or unease about something in the future.

I was anxious

Focuses more on the feeling of worry and nervousness rather than direct fear.

FAQs

What does "I was extremely scared" mean?

The phrase "I was extremely scared" means that someone experienced a very high level of fear or anxiety in a past situation.

What can I say instead of "I was extremely scared"?

You can use alternatives like "I was terrified", "I was frightened", or "I was petrified" to express a similar feeling with different intensity.

How can I make my writing more impactful than saying "I was extremely scared"?

To create more impact, describe the physical sensations or the situation that led to your fear. For instance, instead of saying "I was extremely scared", try "My heart pounded in my chest as I saw the shadow move".

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was extremely scared"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Extremely" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "scared", indicating a high degree of fear.