frightened of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frightened of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing fear or anxiety about something or someone. Example: "She was frightened of the dark and always slept with a nightlight on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I felt frightened of it.

The New York Times

Are you frightened of anything?

Independent

What was I frightened of?

The New Yorker

He's not frightened of women.

The New Yorker

"We were frightened of Goldwater".

The New York Times

I'm frightened of it.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm frightened of you.

The Guardian

I'm frightened of interviews.

The Guardian - Film

I'm frightened of malaria".

The Guardian

The government is frightened of Muslims, but they're also frightened of their shadow, frightened of reality.

Independent

Mr Cameron, frightened of his backbenchers, demurs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frightened of", ensure the object of fear is clearly identified. This provides context and avoids ambiguity, enhancing clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "frightened of" with abstract nouns when a different preposition or verb would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "frightened of failure", consider "afraid of failing" or "fearful of failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frightened of" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being afraid. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and widely used expression. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe fear of various things, such as "interviews", "malaria", or even "women".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frightened of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express fear or apprehension, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a predicate adjective, primarily used in neutral contexts across various domains such as news and media, and general conversation. While direct synonyms like "afraid of" and "scared of" exist, it's important to use "frightened of" with clear and concrete objects of fear to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatility in expressing a range of fears, from tangible objects to abstract concepts. Remember to avoid misusing it with abstract nouns when other prepositions might fit better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afraid of

A direct synonym, conveying a similar level of fear or apprehension.

scared of

An informal synonym, often used in casual conversation.

terrified of

Implies a higher degree of fear than "frightened of".

apprehensive about

Focuses on anxiety about a future event or situation.

anxious about

Similar to 'apprehensive', but can also relate to general unease.

uneasy about

Suggests a mild form of discomfort or worry.

worried about

Implies concern or distress about a potential problem.

intimidated by

Suggests feeling threatened or overawed by someone or something.

in fear of

More formal and literary, emphasizing the state of being afraid.

have a phobia of

Describes an irrational and intense fear of a specific object or situation.

FAQs

What's the difference between "frightened of" and "afraid of"?

While "frightened of" and "afraid of" are often used interchangeably, "frightened of" can sometimes imply a more sudden or startling fear, whereas "afraid of" can suggest a more general or ongoing feeling of fear.

What can I say instead of "frightened of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "in fear of" or "apprehensive about" depending on the context.

How can I use "frightened of" in a sentence?

You can use "frightened of" to express fear or anxiety about something or someone. For example, "She was frightened of the dark" or "He was frightened of making mistakes".

Which is correct: "frightened of" or "frightened by"?

"Frightened of" is generally used to indicate what someone fears, while "frightened by" indicates what caused the fear. For example, "She was frightened of spiders" (fear) versus "She was frightened by the loud noise" (cause).