a few scares

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few scares" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to instances or experiences that caused fear or surprise, often in a lighthearted or casual context. Example: "The horror movie had a few scares that made the audience jump in their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A few scares, a few bad words.

The New York Times

But they can cause a few scares along the way.

The Guardian - Sport

Jonny Bairstow survived a few scares but was still there at the close on 50.

The Guardian - Sport

Vardy's pace gave Otamendi a few scares but he could always recover, while Mangala was powerful in the air and quick into the tackle.

Independent

"It's an exciting way to move around the city," says Firoza, who has had a few scares but no major accidents.

The Guardian

The Spiderwick Chronicles 2008, PG, Paramount £19.99 Somewhat overlooked in cinemas, this terrific adaptation of the popular children's novels offers boisterous entertainment (and a few scares) for the school-holiday crowd.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

You could argue that it simply put England back where they should have been on a track that contained few scares once the heat had burned away the early moisture.

BBC

After a few early scares, the Wanderers did exactly as they set out to achieve - to score a goal at home and to keep a clean sheet.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Sheed, who has been trying since the wedding to have a baby, said, "I've had a few pregnancy scares.

The New York Times - Style

My wife's labour took the best part of 48 hours, with more than a few medical scares along the way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Wolf, in his feature film debut, generates a few genuine scares but he doesn't yet have the style to pull off the kind of lightly surreal comic thriller that he's trying for.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few scares" to describe situations in media like movies or books that have some frightening parts but are not overwhelmingly scary. For instance, "The movie is rated PG-13, so expect "a few scares" but nothing too extreme".

Common error

Avoid using "a few scares" in contexts that demand a more serious or formal tone, such as describing real-life dangerous situations. Opt for more descriptive and impactful language to convey the gravity of the situation instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few scares" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or part of a prepositional phrase. It describes the presence of some frightening or startling moments within a given context, be it a movie, a game, or an experience. This is consistent with how Ludwig AI presents the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Film

11%

Sport

11%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few scares" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes the presence of some frightening moments in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often employed to manage expectations regarding the intensity of fear, particularly in the context of movies, games, or experiences. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as film and sports contexts. When using "a few scares", it's best to reserve it for informal or neutral situations and replace it with more precise language in formal writing. Some related phrases are "some minor frights", "occasional moments of fear", and "a handful of jolts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some minor frights

Replaces "scares" with a synonym that suggests slightly less intense fear.

a handful of jolts

Substitutes "scares" with "jolts", emphasizing the sudden and startling nature of the experiences.

occasional moments of fear

More descriptive, highlighting that the scares are not constant but happen from time to time.

a sprinkling of frights

Uses "sprinkling" to indicate a small number of scares, creating a slightly lighter tone.

several alarming instances

Replaces "scares" with "alarming instances", making the phrase sound slightly more formal and serious.

some frightening incidents

Similar to "alarming instances" but uses "frightening" to maintain the sense of fear.

a couple of chills

Uses "chills" as a more subtle synonym for "scares", implying a milder sensation of fear.

minor moments of terror

Emphasizes the element of terror, although still in a "minor" way.

a touch of apprehension

Shifts the focus from fear to a feeling of unease or worry.

fleeting moments of alarm

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the alarming experiences.

FAQs

How can I use "a few scares" in a sentence?

You can use "a few scares" to describe a movie, a book, or an experience that has some frightening moments, but isn't overwhelmingly terrifying. For instance, "The haunted house had "a few scares", but it was mostly fun and not too frightening".

What are some alternatives to "a few scares"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "some minor frights", "occasional moments of fear", or "a handful of jolts".

Is it appropriate to use "a few scares" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a few scares" is generally more suited for informal or casual contexts. In formal writing, consider using more descriptive and serious language to convey the intensity of fear or alarm.

What's the difference between "a few scares" and "a lot of scares"?

"A few scares" indicates a small number of frightening moments, suggesting that the overall experience is not excessively scary. In contrast, "a lot of scares" implies a significantly higher number of frightening moments, suggesting a more intense and terrifying experience.