frightening outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frightening outside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an external environment that induces fear or anxiety, often due to weather conditions or a threatening atmosphere. Example: "As the storm approached, the sky turned dark and the wind howled, making it frightening outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because of the times, the early sixties, women who were angry and sexual were frightening, outside the range of acceptable behavior, beyond control.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This prevents it from any dangers when running around, frightened, outside.

WikiHow

Without television and with scant access to the Internet, we saw none of the images that so frightened those outside Russia.

The New York Times

This can appear frightening to the outside world, and sometimes it is frightening to the young people trapped within it, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

As she walked by the kitchen just after midnight, she told me, she saw "a big frightening light outside my window".

The New Yorker

The findings are in line with previous research linking concussions to post-traumatic stress disorder that develops after frightening events outside a military context, like car accidents; concussions from athletic collisions rarely lead to the disorder.

The New York Times

It might seem frightening to go outside after your body has reacted in this strange and unpredictable way, but the best thing to do is stand in the light.

Vice

The weather outside, she learns, is frightening.

The New York Times

I recall what the dominant media described as the "frightening anti-racism demonstrations" outside the One Nation conventions, which were held on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

The Guardian

"It's frightening to be thrust outside your comfort zone".

Huffington Post

Now Algiers seemed a frightening labyrinth whenever we ventured outside our perimeter, but Mama walked without stopping, passing a cemetery and a covered market and some cafés, through a jungle of stares and cries and car horns, until she finally stopped short and gazed at a house across the street from us.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frightening outside" to specifically describe the fear induced by an external environment, particularly when referring to weather or visible threats. For broader or psychological fear, consider alternatives like "terrifying outdoors" or "intimidating outdoors".

Common error

Avoid using "frightening outside" when referring to internal anxieties or abstract fears. This phrase should be reserved for contexts where the source of fear is explicitly external and environmental.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frightening outside" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun, typically a location or situation. It describes something that is occurring or existing in the external environment and is causing fear or alarm. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frightening outside" is used to describe external environments or conditions that induce fear. While grammatically sound, its frequency is rare, mostly appearing in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using this phrase, ensure that the source of fear is explicitly external. Consider alternatives like "terrifying outdoors" or "scary outside" for variety or to emphasize the intensity of the fear. Overall, "frightening outside" provides a clear and direct way to convey a sense of external threat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrifying outdoors

Replaces "frightening" with a stronger synonym and uses a more common term for the external environment.

scary outside

Uses a more informal synonym for "frightening" to indicate a threat.

intimidating outdoors

Suggests a more psychological sense of threat rather than physical danger.

eerie exterior

Emphasizes the strangeness and unsettling nature of the external environment.

ominous atmosphere outdoors

Focuses on the foreboding feeling associated with the external environment.

unsafe environment outdoors

Highlights the dangerous conditions that can be seen in the external environment.

threatening exterior

Focuses on the threatening nature of the external environment.

alarming outdoors

Emphasizes the element of surprise and concern connected with the external environment.

unnerving open air

Highlights the anxiety and discomfort that can be caused by the external environment.

daunting open air

Suggests an overwhelming or intimidating aspect of the external environment.

FAQs

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

You can use "frightening outside" to describe a situation where the external environment causes fear. For example, "The storm made it "frightening outside"." or "After dark, the woods become "frightening outside"."

What are some alternatives to "frightening outside"?

Alternatives to "frightening outside" include phrases like "terrifying outdoors", "scary outside", or "intimidating outdoors", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

When is it appropriate to use "frightening outside"?

"Frightening outside" is appropriate when you want to specifically emphasize that the source of fear is the external environment. This could be due to weather conditions, darkness, or other visible or audible factors.

Is "frightening outside" formal or informal?

"Frightening outside" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often more suitable for descriptive writing or everyday conversation. In highly formal or academic writing, it may be preferable to use a more sophisticated or nuanced phrase.