I was utterly scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was utterly scared" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety in a past situation. Example: "When I heard the loud crash in the middle of the night, I was utterly scared and didn't know what to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was utterly scared to make a mistake and go for the wrong woman.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was utterly floored.

The New York Times

I was utterly disappointed.

The New York Times - Books

I was utterly deflated".

The New York Times

I was utterly wrong-footed.

The Guardian

I was utterly terrified.

The Guardian

I was utterly hooked.

The Guardian

I was utterly shattered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was utterly thrilled.

The Guardian

"I was utterly furious.

The Guardian - Tech

I was utterly incredulous.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was utterly scared" to vividly express a strong feeling of fear in past experiences, providing a more intense and descriptive account.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly" excessively in your writing; while it emphasizes intensity, overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was utterly scared" functions as a statement of personal experience, specifically expressing a past feeling of intense fear. It's used to describe a subjective emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was utterly scared" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to convey a strong feeling of fear. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not overly common, the single example in Ludwig comes from a reliable news source, indicating it's acceptable in neutral to slightly informal contexts. "Utterly" intensifies the emotion, so use the phrase when you want to strongly emphasize the experience of fear. For alternatives, consider phrases like "I was completely terrified" or "I was really afraid" to achieve similar or varying levels of intensity. Be mindful of overuse, as excessive use of "utterly" can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was absolutely terrified

Replaces "utterly scared" with "absolutely terrified", intensifying the feeling of fear and using a stronger adjective.

I was completely frightened

Substitutes "utterly scared" with "completely frightened", offering a similar level of intensity but with a different adjective.

I was really afraid

Replaces "utterly scared" with "really afraid", reducing the intensity slightly and using a more common expression.

I felt utterly terrified

Changes the verb from "was" to "felt", emphasizing the internal sensation of terror while keeping the "utterly" adverb.

I was incredibly anxious

Replaces "scared" with "anxious", shifting the focus to worry and unease, but maintaining a high level of intensity with "incredibly".

I was deeply fearful

Uses "deeply fearful" instead of "utterly scared", maintaining a strong sense of dread but using a more formal tone.

I was petrified

Replaces "utterly scared" with "petrified", indicating a state of extreme fear where one is unable to move or act.

I was scared stiff

Replaces "utterly scared" with the idiom "scared stiff", conveying intense fear leading to physical immobility.

I was shaking with fear

Shifts the focus to the physical manifestation of fear, describing the physical reaction rather than just the feeling.

Fear gripped me

Uses a more dramatic and figurative expression to describe the onset of fear, distancing it slightly from a personal statement.

FAQs

What does "I was utterly scared" mean?

The phrase "I was utterly scared" means that the speaker experienced a very strong feeling of fear. The word "utterly" intensifies the feeling of being scared.

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

You can use alternatives like "I was completely terrified", "I was absolutely frightened", or "I was really afraid" depending on the desired level of intensity.

Is "I was utterly scared" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was utterly scared" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-adverb-adjective structure.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I was utterly scared"?

It's appropriate to use "I was utterly scared" when you want to strongly emphasize the feeling of fear you experienced in a past situation. It works well in personal narratives or when describing intense emotional reactions.