a scary time for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scary time for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period or situation that is causing fear or anxiety for someone or a group. Example: "This is a scary time for many families as they navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It's a scary time for farmers.

The New York Times

Is this a scary time for Labour?

The Guardian

It's a scary time for me.

The Guardian

This is a scary time for a company.

The New York Times

It's a scary time for the police department right now".

The Guardian

The competition we're seeing in the job market makes this a scary time for young people.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"This is a scary time of year for me," Torre said, "because if anything major happens, I don't know if we can get it well".

The New York Times - Sports

Female protesters ― victims of sexual assault ― were derided as "clowns," part of a mob and George Soros-funded terrorists (harsh terms not used to, say, condemn white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year), Trump said it's a scary time, not for the many women bravely talking about being raped and assaulted, but for the men who had to listen.

Huffington Post

But it is a scary time, indeed, for old-line American journalism, which, like it or not, is still the backbone of the Fourth Estate here.

The Economist

This can be a very scary time for a dog, particularly one that doesn't have much experience with children.

The New York Times

"It was a pretty scary time for a young black kid growing up in inner London in those days," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a scary time for" to express concern or empathy when describing a situation causing fear or anxiety for others.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "worrying period", "anxious moment", or describing the specific fears involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scary time for" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an adverbial modifier. It describes a period or situation, emphasizing the feeling of fear or anxiety it evokes for a specific group or individual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a scary time for" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to describe situations that evoke fear or anxiety in individuals or groups. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, its impact can be maximized by avoiding overuse and varying your language to suit the context. It is often used in news and media, reflecting concerns about various issues, and can be adapted for both formal and informal communication. By understanding its nuances, writers can effectively express empathy and concern when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an anxious period for

Replaces "scary" with "anxious", focusing on worry rather than fear; keeps the overall structure.

a worrying moment for

Substitutes "scary" with "worrying" and "time" with "moment", slightly altering the duration implied.

a fearful situation for

Replaces "scary time" with "fearful situation" making it more about the circumstances.

a period of unease for

Changes the tone to one of discomfort and lack of peace rather than outright fear.

a precarious juncture for

Implies a critical and unstable point in time, replacing "scary" with the sense of risk.

a nerve-wracking phase for

Highlights the stress and anxiety associated with the time, rather than fear itself.

a trying ordeal for

Shifts the focus to the difficulty and hardship of the experience.

a challenging chapter for

Softens the negative connotation by framing it as a difficult but potentially growth-oriented experience.

a difficult period for

Uses more neutral language, focusing on the difficulty rather than the fear associated with the time.

an ominous outlook for

Focuses on future expectations and the threat of negative events, moving away from immediate fear.

FAQs

How can I use "a scary time for" in a sentence?

You can use "a scary time for" to describe situations causing fear or anxiety, such as "This is "a scary time for" investors due to market volatility".

What can I say instead of "a scary time for"?

You can use alternatives like "an anxious period for", "a worrying moment for", or "a fearful situation for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a scary time for"?

Yes, "a scary time for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a period or situation that causes fear or anxiety.

What's the difference between "a scary time for" and "a difficult time for"?

"A scary time for" emphasizes fear and anxiety, while "a difficult time for" focuses on challenges and hardships. The former is about emotional distress rooted in fear, the latter focuses on the level of effort and problems one has to face.