been scared of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been scared of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of fear or anxiety towards something that has been ongoing or has existed for a period of time. Example: "I have been scared of spiders ever since I was a child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had been scared of him.

The New York Times

"I've definitely been scared of being pigeonholed.

The Guardian - Film

I've never been scared of improvising.

The Guardian

"I've always been scared of people," she said.

The New York Times

They've never been scared of technology – they're pushing for it.

The Guardian - Tech

Ms. Anderson, 54, has never been scared of our music.

The New York Times - Arts

I have never been scared of Ben Kingsley before.

The New Yorker

But I've never been scared of quick bowling.

The Guardian - Sport

I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing.

The New Yorker

I've not been scared of including it, or of leaving it out.

The New Yorker

This whole world of literature unlocked, which I'd been scared of".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been scared of", ensure that the tense and aspect are consistent with the context. For example, use "have been scared of" for ongoing fear or "had been scared of" for a past fear that is no longer present.

Common error

Avoid using "been scared of" when a simple past tense like "was scared of" is more appropriate. "Been scared of" implies a duration or ongoing state, while "was scared of" refers to a specific moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been scared of" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of fear or apprehension. It relies on an auxiliary verb (e.g., have, had) to connect with the subject. This function is validated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been scared of" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express fear or apprehension, with Ludwig providing numerous real-world examples from reliable sources. While generally neutral to informal in register, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure your tense is accurate to reflect ongoing or past fear. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "been afraid of". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been afraid of

Uses "afraid" instead of "scared", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

been petrified of

Uses "petrified" to amplify the intensity of the fear.

had a fear of

Focuses on the fear as a possession or attribute.

felt fear towards

Rephrases the sentiment as an emotion directed towards something.

been filled with terror at

Emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of terror.

experienced apprehension about

Employs more formal vocabulary to convey a sense of unease.

been anxious about

Highlights the worry and nervousness associated with the object of fear.

been wary of

Indicates a cautious approach due to potential danger or problems.

been intimidated by

Suggests a feeling of being daunted or overawed by something.

dreaded

Short, direct term expressing anticipation of something frightening or unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "been scared of" in a sentence?

You can use "been scared of" to describe a fear you have experienced over a period of time. For instance, "I've "been scared of" heights since I was a child."

What's the difference between "been scared of" and "was scared of"?

"Been scared of" often implies a continuous or repeated experience of fear, whereas "was scared of" typically refers to a single instance. For example, "I've "been scared of" flying" suggests a long-term fear, while "I "was scared of" the dark last night" refers to a specific event.

Are there any synonyms for "been scared of"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "been afraid of", "feared", or "been apprehensive about" as alternatives.

Is "been scared of" formal or informal?

"Been scared of" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer "been afraid of" or another similar expression.