frightening experience

USAGE SUMMARY

"frightening experience" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that caused fear or anxiety. For example, "The rollercoaster ride was a frightening experience for the young child." or "Being stranded in the wilderness alone was a terrifying and frightening experience for the hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was a memorable, and briefly frightening, experience.

The New York Times - Travel

Is being on his bad side a frightening experience?

The Guardian - Music

One of the great nature writers describes the awesome, frightening experience of a total eclipse.

The New Yorker

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it was a "frightening" experience to be around the Manchester United team hotel in Leeds on Tuesday afternoon.

Independent

A very frightening experience.

The New York Times

But a frightening experience squelched that.

The New York Times

It's actually a quite frightening experience.

The New York Times

It was a very frightening experience.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was, she says, a frightening experience.

The Guardian - Books

He added: "This has been a baffling and frightening experience.

The New York Times

It wasn't a frightening experience, it was thrilling, cathartic".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "frightening experience", be specific about what made the experience frightening. Use vivid language to convey the emotions and sensory details that contributed to the fear.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something was a "frightening experience" without providing context. Instead, elaborate on the specifics of the situation and the emotions it evoked to create a more impactful narrative. Instead of just saying 'The dark alley was a frightening experience', describe the sounds, shadows, and your feelings of vulnerability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frightening experience" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "frightening" modifies the noun "experience". Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frightening experience" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an event that induces fear or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide specific details about what made the experience frightening to create a more impactful narrative. Alternatives like "terrifying experience" or "daunting experience" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis. Remember to avoid simply stating that something was a "frightening experience" without providing context, as this can diminish the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrifying experience

Focuses on the extreme level of fear induced.

horrifying experience

Focuses on the shocking and dreadful aspects of the experience.

petrifying experience

Underscores the intense fear that renders one helpless.

alarming experience

Highlights the sudden and unsettling nature of the experience.

disturbing experience

Highlights the unsettling and disquieting nature of the experience.

harrowing experience

Highlights the distress and suffering involved in the experience.

daunting experience

Emphasizes the intimidating and challenging nature of the experience.

nerve-wracking experience

Emphasizes the anxiety and stress caused by the experience.

intimidating experience

Stresses the experience's capacity to make one feel small or threatened.

traumatic experience

Indicates a deeply distressing and emotionally damaging experience.

FAQs

How can I use "frightening experience" in a sentence?

You can use "frightening experience" to describe a situation that caused fear or anxiety. For example: "Being caught in the storm was a "frightening experience"" or "The surgery was a "frightening experience", but the nurses were very supportive".

What are some alternatives to "frightening experience"?

Alternatives include "terrifying experience", "daunting experience", "alarming experience", or "horrifying experience", each emphasizing different aspects of the experience.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a frightening experience"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Frightening" is an adjective modifying the noun "experience", and the article "a" is used because "experience" is a singular countable noun.

What's the difference between "frightening experience" and "scary experience"?

"Frightening experience" and "scary experience" are very similar, but "frightening" often implies a deeper sense of unease or dread, while "scary" can refer to something that causes a more immediate, jump-scare type of fear.