I was very afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was very afraid" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety in the past tense. It also conveys a sense of intensity or severity. Example: "At the haunted house, I was very afraid to go into the dark basement alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was very afraid," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"In the beginning I was very afraid of them.

Independent

"When my name was called, I was very afraid".

The New York Times

"I was very afraid for everybody," Mr. Corrales said.

The New York Times - Arts

"I was very afraid of Rae Carruth," Watkins said.

The New York Times - Sports

At the same time, I was very afraid.

The Guardian - Arts

I was very afraid of someone condescending to Aileen.

The Guardian - Film

The asylum-seeker said that when he went to the hospital, "I was very afraid".

The New York Times

After the January, 2015, massacre, Sapin told me, "I was very afraid for Riad".

The New Yorker

"I was very afraid, and I had to hide to protect myself from the shooting".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm very afraid".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific event or situation, follow "I was very afraid" with a clear explanation of what caused the fear to give the statement context and impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "I was very afraid" without elaborating on the cause or the specific feelings experienced. Add details to paint a clearer picture of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was very afraid" functions as a statement of past emotion, specifically expressing a significant degree of fear experienced by the speaker. Ludwig provides numerous examples confirming its function in conveying personal feelings. It serves to describe a state of being in response to a perceived threat or anxiety-inducing situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was very afraid" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a significant feeling of fear in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates personal vulnerability and anxiety across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in formal business and scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to provide context to enhance its impact and avoid vague statements. Alternative phrases like "I felt extremely scared" or "I was deeply apprehensive" offer nuanced ways to express similar emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt extremely scared

Emphasizes the intensity of the fear experienced.

I was deeply apprehensive

Highlights a sense of foreboding or anxiety about a future event.

I experienced intense fear

Focuses on the feeling of fear as a strong sensation.

I was petrified

Implies a state of being paralyzed by fear.

I was filled with terror

Suggests a profound and overwhelming fear.

I was scared stiff

An informal way of saying one was very frightened and unable to move.

I trembled with fear

Highlights the physical manifestation of fear.

I was anxious

Expresses a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.

I was uneasy

Indicates a lack of comfort or security, often due to an undefined fear.

I had serious concerns

Indicates worry or apprehension, though less intense than outright fear.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was very afraid"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt extremely scared", "I was deeply apprehensive", or "I experienced intense fear" depending on the context.

How to use "I was very afraid" in a sentence?

Use "I was very afraid" to express a strong feeling of fear in the past. For example, "I was very afraid when I heard the loud noise outside my window".

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was very afraid"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to express a strong feeling of fear in the past tense.

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

"I was afraid" expresses a general feeling of fear, while "I was very afraid" emphasizes a higher intensity or degree of fear.