became frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a change in emotional state, specifically when someone transitions to feeling fear. Example: "As the thunderstorm rolled in, she became frightened and sought shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

In the second, they became frightened.

The Economist

Ms. Nussbaum said she became frightened.

The New York Times

The pianist first became frightened when playing Mozart.

The Guardian

We became frightened and the crowd including myself fled.

The Guardian

In the end I became frightened of leaving her.

The Guardian

American soldiers believe that the captain, a Kurd, became frightened after receiving the briefing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

It was when the credit crunch suddenly became frightening.

The Guardian - Books

In recent years, of course, such an image became frightening -- not just because of concerns about skin disease.

The New York Times - Magazine

10 Thus, well intended safety warnings became frightening alarms to clinicians, parents, and young people.

British Medical Journal

Participants described how they were extremely vulnerable around the time of surgery, and how the surgery became frightening, traumatic and unpleasant.

BMC Nursing

Some passengers may become frightened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "became scared" or "grew afraid" for a more informal tone, depending on your audience and the context.

Common error

While "became frightened" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more precise or nuanced alternatives like "became apprehensive" or "experienced fear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became frightened" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state, specifically the transition into a state of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became frightened" is a commonly used verb phrase that effectively describes the transition into a state of fear. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives exist for specific contexts. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources. When using "became frightened", consider the specific context and whether a synonym like "became scared" or "grew afraid" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became scared

A simpler and more direct alternative to "became frightened".

got afraid

A more casual phrasing for the experience of fear.

grew scared

Implies a gradual onset of fear; less intense than "became frightened".

started to fear

Highlights the beginning of a fearful state.

turned fearful

Focuses on the change in emotional state towards fear; slightly more formal.

became alarmed

Suggests a reaction to a perceived danger or threat.

became apprehensive

Implies a feeling of anxiety or dread about the future.

became anxious

Focuses on worry and unease, rather than outright fear.

was overcome with fear

Emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of the fear.

grew anxious

A progressive increase in worry or unease.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "became frightened"?

You can use alternatives like "became scared", "grew afraid", or "became alarmed" depending on the context.

How to use "became frightened" in a sentence?

"Became frightened" is used to describe the transition into a state of fear. For example, "The child "became frightened" during the thunderstorm."

What's the difference between "became frightened" and "was frightened"?

"Became frightened" implies a transition or change into a state of fear, while "was frightened" simply describes a state of being in fear. For instance, "She "became frightened" when the lights went out" suggests a change, whereas "She was frightened" indicates a pre-existing condition.

Is "became frightened" formal or informal?

"Became frightened" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "became apprehensive" or "experienced fear".