appears scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears scared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who seems to be frightened or anxious in a particular situation. Example: "When the thunderstorm hit, she appeared scared, glancing nervously at the windows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If the person appears scared or panicked, you have the choice of either pursuing the idea or backing off.

WikiHow

If you see a little kid on the street playing, stop and have a little chat with him, however if the kid appears scared by this back off a bit.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the midterm elections draw near, an old reliable of endangered officeholders appears: scare tactics over Social Security.

Forbes

He appeared scared in a way to push himself for the full 26.2 miles, Berardelli said.

The New York Times - Sports

In previous written testimony "Rachel" said that Mr Martin appeared scared and was trying to get away from Zimmerman.

Independent

No one appeared scared, or deterred, as the secret police recorded the protesters, who belong to the same families from which the nation's security officers have long been recruited.

The New York Times

This was the horror of appearing scared of al-Qaida or whomsoever the US decided was the enemy – while appearing, like the great appeaser of the second world war, to have rationalised this fear into some kind of specious policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"No one appeared scared, no one was running for their lives and although it provided 'food for thought' and lots of laughs it certainly needed to be taken in context.

The Guardian

The premium sellers appear scared to step up to the plate.

Forbes

He appeared scared but in good health, Ludwig said.

Los Angeles Times

Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, consider the specific context to choose the most accurate descriptor. "Appears scared" can be suitable for general fear, but a situation might call for a more precise term like "looks terrified" or "seems apprehensive."

Common error

In academic or professional contexts, using "appears scared" repeatedly can sound informal. Opt for stronger verbs or more nuanced adjectives to convey fear, such as "exhibited anxiety", "betrayed trepidation", or "seemed alarmed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears scared" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun (usually a person or animal) by indicating their outward emotional state. Ludwig shows that it describes the observable manifestation of fear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears scared" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, indicating that someone outwardly shows signs of fear. While not overly formal, it's best used with consideration for context, especially in professional writing, where alternatives might be more suitable. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and provides diverse examples of usage across news, wiki, and scientific sources. Consider factors like the degree of fear and the setting to find the most appropriate wording to describe the outward manifestation of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems frightened

Focuses more directly on the feeling of fright.

looks afraid

Emphasizes the visual aspect of fear.

looks terrified

Emphasizes extreme fear.

seems intimidated

Suggests feeling threatened or overawed.

looks panicked

Suggests a state of extreme alarm and disarray.

looks apprehensive

Implies a sense of worry about the future.

seems anxious

Highlights worry and unease.

looks worried

Emphasizes concern and anxiety.

seems uneasy

Suggests discomfort or a lack of ease.

seems nervous

Highlights agitation and restlessness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "appears scared"?

You can use alternatives like "seems frightened", "looks afraid", or "seems intimidated" depending on the context.

How to use "appears scared" in a sentence?

"Appears scared" is used to describe someone who seems frightened or anxious. For example, "He appeared scared when he heard the loud noise."

What's the difference between "appears scared" and "is scared"?

"Appears scared" indicates an outward impression of fear, while "is scared" is a statement of an internal emotional state. "Appears scared" suggests observation, whereas "is scared" implies knowledge of the person's feelings.

Is it correct to say "appeared scared" or "appears scared"?

Both are correct, but "appeared scared" is past tense, while "appears scared" is present tense. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you're describing.