I was intimidating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was intimidating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past situation where your presence or behavior caused others to feel fear or apprehension. Example: "During the meeting, I realized that I was intimidating to my colleagues, which was not my intention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Told I was intimidating and off-putting by colleague on third day.

Huffington Post

I have never felt as powerful as when I was intimidating that bully.

Vice

Nothing made the need for this article more clear than when someone recently told me that before they met me, they thought I was intimidating.

Huffington Post

The realization struck me, that I was intimidating and alienating my boss because I was "too-Hispanic" with my arms waving around in the air, big hair, hoop earrings, loud and passionate talk... Never mind, that I was a selling-machine with an uncanny ability to connect with all types of clients and outperform every metric...

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Honestly, I was intimidated.

The New York Times

I was intimidated.

The New York Times - Sports

Anyway, I was intimidated".

The New Yorker

"I was intimidated," she said.

The New York Times

I was intimidated at first.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, she added: "I was intimidated.

The New York Times

"Of course I was intimidated," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was intimidating" to reflect on past behavior and its impact on others. Be mindful of the context; it can be used for self-reflection, storytelling, or analyzing social dynamics.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because you "I was intimidating", it was necessarily intentional. Consider the possibility that your actions or appearance had an unintended effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was intimidating" functions as a statement of past perception or action. It indicates that the speaker, in a past context, caused others to feel fear or apprehension. As Ludwig AI says, it is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was intimidating" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a past state where the speaker believes they caused others to feel intimidated. While not very common, its usage is typically found in news and media contexts and serves the purpose of self-reflection or analyzing interpersonal dynamics. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Related phrases, such as "I came across as intimidating", offer similar expressions with subtle differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, it's important to be mindful of the context and consider the impact on others, avoiding assumptions about intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was perceived as intimidating

Highlights external perception of the speaker's character.

I made people feel intimidated

Directly states the effect on others.

I seemed intimidating

Emphasizes how others viewed the speaker.

I came across as intimidating

Highlights how the speaker was perceived by others.

I had an intimidating effect

Focuses on the consequence or result of one's actions or demeanor.

I gave off an intimidating vibe

Similar to projecting, but emphasizes a feeling or atmosphere.

My presence was intimidating

Emphasizes the impact of the speaker's mere presence.

I presented myself as intimidating

Emphasizes intention and control in portraying an intimidating persona.

I projected an intimidating aura

Focuses on the aura or impression given off.

I unintentionally intimidated others

Indicates a lack of intent to intimidate, focusing on the unintended outcome.

FAQs

How can I tell if "I was intimidating"?

Look for signs like people avoiding eye contact, hesitating to speak around you, or expressing nervousness. Feedback from trusted colleagues can also offer valuable insight.

What can I do if "I was intimidating" without meaning to be?

Be approachable and open to feedback. Actively listen to others, show empathy, and adjust your communication style to be more inclusive. Consider alternatives like "I came across as intimidating" to discuss perception.

Is there a difference between being assertive and "I was intimidating"?

Assertiveness is about confidently expressing your needs and opinions, while being intimidating involves creating fear or unease in others. If you are finding the right balance might be worth exploring alternatives like "I projected an intimidating aura", as an aspect of your presence and not a direct behaviour.

What are some professional ways to address the feeling that "I was intimidating"?

Frame it as a discussion about communication styles and their impact on team dynamics. Focus on building rapport and creating a safe space for open dialogue. Be mindful of your body language and tone of voice.