be frightened of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be frightened of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to express fear or nervousness towards something or someone. Example sentence: "The girl was so frightened of spiders that she couldn't even look at a picture of one without shuddering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He should be frightened of me".

The New Yorker

How can you be frightened of Nothing?

The New York Times - Books

"Nobody can be frightened of me.

The Guardian - Books

I need to be frightened of things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But there's nothing to be frightened of".

The New Yorker

We cannot be frightened of them.

The Guardian - Sport

How could he be frightened of failing?

The New Yorker

And it is probably nothing to be frightened of.

Independent

We also need not be frightened of the future.

The Guardian - Books

"You're supposed to be frightened of these things.

The New York Times

Should we be frightened of what might happen?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be frightened of", ensure the object of fear is clearly defined. For example, "be frightened of heights" is more precise than just "be frightened."

Common error

Avoid using "be frightened of" when a stronger term like "terrified" or "petrified" more accurately conveys the intensity of the fear. Choose the word that best reflects the level of apprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be frightened of" functions as a predicative adjective followed by a preposition. It describes a state of being, indicating that someone or something experiences fear in relation to a specific object or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be frightened of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey fear or apprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds application across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as on wikis. While alternatives like "be terrified of" or "be scared of" may sometimes be more appropriate depending on the intensity of the emotion, "be frightened of" offers a neutral and widely understood means of expressing one's fears. To ensure clarity, always specify the object of fear and consider the level of intensity you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be terrified of

Emphasizes a higher degree of fear, suggesting intense dread or terror.

be scared of

A more informal way to express fear; interchangeable in many contexts.

be afraid of

A common and direct synonym, often used in similar contexts.

be apprehensive about

Focuses more on the anticipation of something unpleasant, rather than a direct fear.

dread

A more concise way to express a feeling of great fear or apprehension about something that might happen.

feel anxious about

Indicates a state of worry or unease, often linked to uncertainty.

cower before

Suggests a physical response to fear, implying submission or avoidance.

tremble at the thought of

Highlights the mental aspect of fear, where even the idea causes distress.

shrink from

Implies avoiding something due to fear or aversion.

be intimidated by

Suggests fear stemming from a sense of inferiority or being overwhelmed by something or someone.

FAQs

How do I use "be frightened of" in a sentence?

You can use "be frightened of" to describe a feeling of fear or apprehension towards something. For example: "I am frightened of spiders", or "She was frightened of failing the exam".

What are some alternatives to "be frightened of"?

You can use alternatives like "be scared of", "be afraid of", or "be terrified of", depending on the intensity of the fear you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be frightened of" or "be afraid of"?

Both "be frightened of" and "be afraid of" are correct and commonly used. "Frightened" might suggest a slightly more intense or sudden fear, but the difference is often negligible.

When should I use "be frightened of" instead of "be nervous about"?

"Be frightened of" implies a stronger feeling of fear or apprehension, while "be nervous about" suggests a milder feeling of unease or anxiety. Choose the phrase that best represents the actual emotion.