completely terrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely terrified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of extreme fear or anxiety in various contexts, such as storytelling or personal experiences. Example: "When I heard the loud crash in the middle of the night, I was completely terrified and couldn't move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"The United States, completely terrified at our accomplishment of the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, is getting more and more frenzied in the moves to impose the harshest-ever sanctions and pressure on our country.

BBC

They are completely terrified.

The Guardian - Music

I was completely terrified.

The New Yorker

"You're completely terrified," she says.

The Guardian

"I was completely terrified," she recalled.

The New Yorker

"I was completely terrified the whole time".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"And they were completely terrifying.

Princeton University

Filming it was completely terrifying.

The Guardian

But it's also completely terrifying.

The New York Times

And it's almost completely terrifying.

The Guardian - Books

I won't lie to you, it's completely terrifying".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely terrified" to effectively communicate a state of extreme fear or overwhelming anxiety, ensuring the context supports such a strong emotional expression.

Common error

Avoid using "completely terrified" excessively, especially in contexts where a milder expression of fear or anxiety would suffice. Overuse can dilute the impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely terrified" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing a state of being in extreme fear. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely terrified" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of extreme fear. As confirmed by Ludwig, its purpose is to emphasize the intensity of someone's fear. While "completely terrified" is a common phrase, writers should avoid overuse in favor of alternatives such as "utterly frightened", "absolutely petrified", and "scared stiff" to maintain variety and impact. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase serves to vividly convey strong emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely petrified

Emphasizes the extreme level of fear, similar to "completely terrified" but with a slightly stronger connotation of paralysis or helplessness.

utterly frightened

Focuses on the sense of being scared, swapping "terrified" for a more common synonym while retaining the intensity via "utterly".

scared stiff

Idiomatic expression indicating intense fear leading to physical rigidity, differing stylistically from "completely terrified".

paralyzed with fear

Highlights the immobilizing effect of extreme fear, shifting the focus from the emotion itself to its consequence.

in a state of panic

Describes a condition of overwhelming fear, replacing "terrified" with a broader term for intense anxiety.

frozen in fear

Similar to "scared stiff", emphasizing the inability to move due to intense fear.

trembling with fear

Focuses on the physical manifestation of fear, rather than the emotion itself, offering a vivid description.

scared out of my wits

Idiomatic expression denoting a very high degree of fear, adding a touch of colloquialism.

deeply alarmed

Uses a more formal and mild term, “alarmed,” to convey a sense of serious concern and fear.

in mortal fear

Implies that the fear is related to a life-threatening situation, intensifying the sense of danger.

FAQs

How can I use "completely terrified" in a sentence?

You can use "completely terrified" to describe someone experiencing extreme fear. For example, "She was "completely terrified" during the horror movie".

What are some alternatives to "completely terrified"?

Alternatives to "completely terrified" include "absolutely petrified", "utterly frightened", or "scared stiff".

Is "completely terrified" grammatically correct?

Yes, "completely terrified" is grammatically correct. "Completely" is an adverb modifying the adjective "terrified".

What's the difference between "terrified" and "completely terrified"?

"Completely terrified" emphasizes a higher degree of fear than simply "terrified". It suggests an overwhelming or all-consuming sense of fear.