appears frightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears frightening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that seems to evoke fear or anxiety in a person or group. Example: "The dark, abandoned house at the end of the street appears frightening to the children who pass by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Steve appears frightening because he finds it easier to describe himself as a murderer than to acknowledge that his family life has been abusive.

The Guardian

The world on the other side appears frightening and overwhelming.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She appears frightened, lost.

The New Yorker

The animal appears frightened and is then bludgeoned to death.

The Guardian

Like a map with destinations but no roads, the cantos appear frightening, fascinating, rebarbative and barely navigable.

The Guardian - Books

A giant among his contemporaries, he appeared frightening at first glance, with his large, piercing eyes and bushy eyebrows, but he was friendly and unassuming in manner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This can appear frightening to the outside world, and sometimes it is frightening to the young people trapped within it, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the jellyfish, which have no brain or bones, may appear frightening to some, they're actually harmless to humans as their stings are not strong enough to wound, however it is advised to not touch them.

Independent

Or is the issue not that this is the age of terrorism but the age of immigration from a new set of countries ones whose people may not look the way that Trump thinks Americans should look but, rather, appear frightening to him?

The New Yorker

In other words, although to modern eyes he may appear frightening, he was actually decent.

BBC

Two physical effects were used to make the spiral staircase in the library appear frightening.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears frightening" when you want to describe something that gives an initial impression of being scary, but might not actually be so upon closer inspection.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "appears frightening" can sometimes feel less impactful than more vivid alternatives like "seems terrifying" or "looks menacing" in formal or creative writing. Consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose the word that best fits the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears frightening" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its apparent quality of inducing fear. It describes how something is perceived, aligning with Ludwig's identification of its usability in describing something evoking fear or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

32%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears frightening" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily functioning as an adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that gives an initial impression of being scary, but might not inherently be so. Though it's categorized as uncommon, its usage spans across diverse sources like news media, encyclopedias, and wikis. While versatile, consider more vivid alternatives such as "seems scary" or "looks terrifying" depending on the context. In essence, "appears frightening" serves as a nuanced descriptor for perceived fear, offering a valuable tool for writers aiming for precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems scary

Uses a more common and less formal adjective.

looks terrifying

Emphasizes the visual aspect of being frightening.

seems alarming

Focuses on causing concern or worry.

looks intimidating

Highlights the potential to discourage or daunt.

presents a scary picture

Emphasizes the overall impression of fear.

gives a frightening impression

Highlights the received feeling of fright.

is seemingly terrifying

Expresses the concept with a higher degree of intensity and formality.

has a frightening aspect

Emphasizes that a specific element or feature is scary.

projects a scary image

Highlights the impression produced on those who look at something.

projects a frightening aura

Implies a surrounding atmosphere of fear.

FAQs

How can I use "appears frightening" in a sentence?

You can use "appears frightening" to describe something that gives an initial impression of being scary, such as "The abandoned house appears frightening from a distance". You could also use it to describe someone's behavior, such as "He appears frightening when he's angry".

What can I say instead of "appears frightening"?

Alternatives include "seems scary", "looks terrifying", or "seems alarming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "appears frightening" formal or informal?

"Appears frightening" is generally considered neutral in formality. However, the context and surrounding vocabulary can influence the overall tone. In some cases, more vivid or descriptive alternatives may be preferable.

What is the difference between "appears frightening" and "is frightening"?

"Appears frightening" suggests an initial impression, while "is frightening" states a more definitive characteristic. Something that "appears frightening" might not actually be so upon closer inspection, while something that "is frightening" is inherently scary.