I was scared of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was scared of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express fear or apprehension about a person, situation, or object in the past. Example: "I was scared of the dark when I was a child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was scared of it".

The New York Times - Books

"I was scared of him being alone.

The Guardian

"I was scared of intimacy.

The Guardian - Music

I was scared of him".

The New York Times

I was scared of them".

The Guardian - Film

"I was scared of looking silly.

The Guardian

"I was scared of the blackness".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was scared of holding a baby.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was scared of growing up.

The Guardian - Books

I was scared of her mood swings.

The New York Times - Magazine

Because I was scared of growing up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was scared of", ensure that the object of your fear is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I was scared", specify "I was scared of the dark".

Common error

Avoid overusing "I was scared of" for minor discomforts. Reserve it for situations that genuinely evoked fear, not mere dislike or mild apprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was scared of" functions as a statement of past apprehension or fear. It connects the subject ("I") with a feeling of fear directed towards a specific object or situation, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was scared of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express past fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and high frequency across diverse sources, predominantly in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity in defining the object of fear is key. While alternatives like "I was afraid of" exist, "I was scared of" remains a versatile and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was terrified of

Intensifies the feeling of fear, indicating extreme fright or alarm.

I felt apprehensive about

Changes the verb and introduces a more formal tone, while retaining the core meaning of anticipating something with anxiety.

I had a fear of

Shifts the focus to having a pre-existing fear, rather than a reaction to a specific event.

I experienced fear regarding

Replaces "scared" with the more formal "fear" and restructures the sentence to emphasize the feeling.

I was in dread of

Similar to "I dreaded" but emphasizes the state of being in fear, adding intensity to the feeling.

I dreaded

Conveys a strong feeling of aversion and apprehension about something that is expected to happen.

I was anxious about

Highlights a state of worry and nervousness regarding a future event or situation.

I was worried about

Expresses concern and anxiety, which is a milder form of fear but still indicates unease.

I felt intimidated by

Implies that the fear comes from a sense of being overpowered or threatened by someone or something.

I felt uneasy about

Indicates a lack of comfort and a mild level of anxiety or apprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "I was scared of" in a sentence?

You can use "I was scared of" to express fear or apprehension about a person, situation, or object in the past. For example, "I was scared of the dark when I was a child".

What are some alternatives to saying "I was scared of"?

You can use alternatives like "I was afraid of", "I felt anxious about", or "I dreaded" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was scared from" instead of "I was scared of"?

No, "I was scared from" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use with "scared" in this context is "of". Using "I was scared of" is the standard and accepted form.

What's the difference between "I was scared of" and "I was afraid of"?

The phrases "I was scared of" and "I was afraid of" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. "Afraid" might be considered slightly more formal than "scared", but both are widely used.