frightens me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frightens me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express fear or anxiety caused by something or someone. Example: "The thought of public speaking frightens me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dessert frightens me.

The New Yorker

Beige frightens me.

The Guardian - Arts

Matthew Barney frightens me.

The Guardian - Arts

It frightens me still!

The New York Times

This is what frightens me.

Independent

"That frightens me much more".

The New York Times

Perhaps their fragility frightens me.

The New York Times

But it frightens me, too".

The New York Times

"And that's what frightens me.

The Guardian

The real world frightens me sick".

The New Yorker

This realization humbles and frightens me.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frightens me" to express a personal feeling of fear or apprehension, typically caused by something specific. It's often used to convey vulnerability or a sense of unease.

Common error

While "frightens me" is perfectly acceptable, consider stronger or more nuanced vocabulary in formal writing to convey a specific type or degree of fear. For instance, use "alarms me" or "concerns me" instead of "frightens me" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

"Frightens me" functions as a verb phrase expressing a personal emotion. It indicates that the subject experiences fear or apprehension as a result of something. This phrase is frequently used to convey a subjective reaction, as supported by Ludwig's examples which show the diverse range of situations that can elicit this feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frightens me" is a common and grammatically sound way to express personal fear or apprehension. Ludwig's analysis indicates its prevalence across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. The phrase serves to communicate personal vulnerability and emotional responses. While "scares me" is a close synonym, nuances exist, and more formal options like "alarms me" can be considered depending on the writing context. The Ludwig AI confirms its broad usability and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scares me

Direct synonym, focusing on causing fear.

terrifies me

Implies a stronger degree of fear than "frightens me".

makes me afraid

More descriptive, explicitly stating the feeling of being afraid.

fills me with dread

Highlights the feeling of anticipated fear or anxiety.

gives me the creeps

Informal, suggesting a feeling of unease or disgust.

chills me to the bone

Emphasizes the intensity of fear, suggesting a physical reaction.

makes my blood run cold

Similar to 'chills me to the bone', highlighting physical fear.

instills fear in me

More formal, emphasizing the action of something causing fear.

is unsettling to me

Implies a disturbance of peace of mind rather than intense fear.

causes me anxiety

Focuses on the anxious feeling produced by something.

FAQs

How can I use "frightens me" in a sentence?

You can use "frightens me" to express your personal feeling of fear or unease about something. For example, "The thought of public speaking "frightens me"", or "His unpredictable behavior "frightens me"".

What's a more formal way to say "frightens me"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "alarms me", "concerns me", or "causes me apprehension". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "scares me" the same as "frightens me"?

"Scares me" is a direct synonym and can often be used interchangeably with "frightens me". However, "frightens me" may sometimes imply a slightly deeper or more prolonged sense of unease, while "scares me" can refer to a more immediate, startling reaction.

What are some alternatives to "frightens me" that emphasize anxiety rather than fear?

If you want to emphasize anxiety, you could use phrases like "causes me anxiety" or "makes me apprehensive". These alternatives focus more on the feeling of unease and worry rather than outright fear.