deeply afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

"deeply afraid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of extreme fear. For example: "I was deeply afraid of the pain I was about to experience during surgery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

They are deeply afraid.

The New York Times

Merkel became deeply afraid of dogs after she was bitten in the mid 90s.

The Guardian

Fun fact: I am deeply afraid of sharks and have an unhealthy addiction to BCC crime dramas.

Stanford University

I am deeply afraid of many things: deep water, small spaces and rats to name just three.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yesterday's Markit/YouGov poll showed 47% of households expected to be worse off next year, deeply afraid for their jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Science offers us total mastery over our environment and over our destiny, yet instead of rejoicing we feel deeply afraid".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Many line managers were deeply sceptical, but afraid to declare the emperor naked.

The Economist

Most of us who've ever worked in an organization for any amount of time have personally witnessed behavior that made us deeply uncomfortable or afraid, and we went home that night struggling with how best to handle it.

Forbes

It makes them deeply uneasy, even afraid.

Huffington Post

"I left them because I was afraid and deeply troubled by this horrible situation.

Independent

She takes it into her mouth, so deeply so I'm afraid the teeth of the fork will scratch her palate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deeply afraid" to emphasize a strong emotional response of fear, particularly in situations where the intensity of the emotion is critical to the narrative or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "deeply afraid" in contexts that do not warrant a high degree of fear, as it can make the writing sound melodramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "afraid" or "concerned" when the situation doesn't involve intense dread.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deeply afraid" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of intense fear. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, as seen in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Huffington Post

14%

Vice

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deeply afraid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a profound sense of fear. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase that emphasizes the intensity of the emotion. While versatile, appearing in various contexts from news to personal blogs, it’s crucial to use it judiciously to avoid melodramatic writing. Alternatives such as "seriously afraid" or "intensely afraid" can offer similar emotional weight with slightly different nuances. Therefore, understanding its register and context ensures its impactful and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply fearful

A synonym that puts more emphasis on the 'full of fear' state.

seriously afraid

Focuses on the gravity of the fear experienced.

intensely afraid

Highlights the strength and degree of the fear.

extremely afraid

Similar to "very afraid" but emphasizes a heightened state.

very afraid

A more general way to express a high degree of fear.

terribly afraid

Suggests a significant amount of fear or dread.

greatly afraid

Indicates a considerable level of fear.

acutely afraid

Stresses the sharpness and intensity of the fear.

strongly afraid

Emphasizes the intensity of the fearful feeling.

deeply anxious

Highlights the anxiety accompanying the intense fear.

FAQs

How can I use "deeply afraid" in a sentence?

You can use "deeply afraid" to describe a feeling of intense fear. For instance, "She was deeply afraid of the dark" or "They were deeply afraid of the consequences of their actions".

What are some alternatives to "deeply afraid"?

You can use alternatives such as "seriously afraid", "intensely afraid", or "extremely afraid" to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "afraid" and "deeply afraid"?

Yes, "deeply afraid" indicates a stronger and more profound level of fear compared to simply being "afraid". It emphasizes the intensity of the emotion.

When is it appropriate to use "deeply afraid" in writing?

Use "deeply afraid" when you want to emphasize the intensity of fear experienced by a character or subject. It's suitable for situations involving significant risk, danger, or emotional distress.