I was terrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was terrified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of intense fear or dread. For example, "When I saw the size of the spider, I was terrified!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Still, I was terrified.

The New York Times

I was terrified, really.

The New Yorker

Honestly, I was terrified".

The New York Times

And I was terrified.

Independent

Really, I was terrified.

The Guardian

"I was terrified, terrified.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

I'm terrified, terrified".

The New Yorker

I am terrified.

Independent

Instead, I'm terrified.

Independent

And I'm terrified.

The New York Times

I'm terrified still!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase the impact, follow "I was terrified" with a description of what caused the fear. Providing specific details helps the audience understand the intensity of your emotional state.

Common error

While "I was terrified" is a strong expression, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms or describing the physical and emotional sensations of fear to avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was terrified" functions as a statement expressing a personal feeling of extreme fear. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and usable expression. It communicates a subjective emotional state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was terrified" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey intense fear. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across various writing styles. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as academic and formal business settings. To enhance your writing, consider following the phrase with specific details to amplify the emotional impact and avoid overuse by exploring synonyms like "I felt deeply afraid" or "I was filled with dread".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt deeply afraid

Emphasizes the feeling of fear, replacing "terrified" with a more descriptive phrase.

I experienced intense fear

Focuses on the experience of fear, using a more formal tone.

I was filled with dread

Replaces "terrified" with "filled with dread", highlighting a sense of impending doom.

I was scared stiff

Uses an idiom to convey extreme fear, adding a sense of paralysis.

I was petrified with fear

Replaces "terrified" with "petrified", emphasizing the immobilizing aspect of fear.

I was frightened out of my wits

Uses an idiom to express being extremely frightened, indicating a loss of composure.

Fear gripped me

Presents fear as an active force, gripping the speaker.

I shuddered with fear

Highlights the physical reaction to fear, such as shivering.

I trembled in fear

Similar to shuddered, but emphasizes trembling as a physical manifestation of fear.

I quaked with apprehension

Uses "quaked" and "apprehension" to express a trembling feeling mixed with anxiety about the future.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was terrified"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt deeply afraid", "I experienced intense fear", or "I was filled with dread" depending on the context.

How can I make the phrase "I was terrified" more impactful?

To enhance the impact, follow the phrase with specific details about the cause of your fear. Describing the sights, sounds, or thoughts that triggered the terror can create a more vivid and engaging narrative for the reader.

Is "I was terrified" too informal for academic writing?

While "I was terrified" is acceptable, academic writing often benefits from more descriptive language. Consider using phrases like "I experienced significant apprehension" or "I felt considerable unease" to maintain a formal tone.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "I was scared stiff" instead of "I was terrified"?

The idiom "I was scared stiff" is appropriate when you want to emphasize a sense of paralysis or being unable to move due to extreme fear. It's a more informal and vivid way to express being terrified.