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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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frightful

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "frightful" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means causing fear or terror. Example: The haunted house was filled with frightful tales and eerie decorations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Natural scientists (physicists, chemists, biologists) have had frightful power, and not always used it well.

Pictures, documents and household objects from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries portray Africa and the Orient as both frightful and fascinating.

News & Media

The Economist

But the virus is devastating for the region nonetheless.The frightful nature of the disease, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and uncontrollable bleeding, and the lack of a cure have led to panic and fear.

News & Media

The Economist

In 1887, as part of a drive to have rape treated more seriously, America's Christian Temperance Union cited the "frightful indignities to which even little girls are subject".

News & Media

The Economist

Indeed, in the run-up to last year's election the Conservatives provoked a frightful row when they exploited such fears by portraying Gordon Brown's suggestion that long-term care could be paid for from the estates of wealthy recipients as a "death tax".

News & Media

The Economist

She had had it remade so completely that she became not a cat as she wanted but a bogey, a frightful object-lesson, repeated in column after column, about beauty and its evil twin, vanity.Beauty is an engrossing, if troubling, subject.

News & Media

The Economist

I have on occasion (whisper it) been one of those frightful people that holds up the queue for a minute or two while I stack my luggage and rummage through my pockets for my boarding pass; as if the need to present it at security had come as a complete surprise.

News & Media

The Economist

Absolutely frightful Chips with everything The fireman's lot is quite a happy one Evidence on tap Ticks in the wrong box ReprintsOn one big question where Mr Blair takes a tough line internationally, that of cutting the use of fossil fuels, the government is nowhere near reaching its own target.

News & Media

The Economist

But whether the present younger generation is really any nearer to that frightful end than any previous one, is a question that we, of the present older generation, are scarcely qualified to answer.

News & Media

The Economist

Absolutely frightful Chips with everything The fireman's lot is quite a happy one Evidence on tap Ticks in the wrong box ReprintsSome of this can be put down to corporate rivalry.

News & Media

The Economist

All the other changes that have resulted from his government shuffle in the royally appointed proto-parliament known as the Shura Council, in the armed forces, in the courts, at the central bank, among the clergy, even in the frightful religious police have been for the good (see article).

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frightful" to vividly describe something causing significant fear or something extremely unpleasant; consider the intensity you wish to convey and choose synonyms accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "frightful" in very casual conversations; it can sound overly dramatic or old-fashioned. Opt for more common words like "bad" or "terrible" in everyday settings.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Frightful functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes fear, alarm, or is extremely unpleasant. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and frequently used term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

20%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "frightful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe something causing fear, alarm, or extreme unpleasantness. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and correct word. Its usage spans various contexts, but it's particularly common in news, media, and encyclopedic sources. While generally acceptable, "frightful" is more formal than its everyday synonyms, suggesting careful consideration of context and desired tone. To avoid sounding overly dramatic, reserve "frightful" for situations needing more emphasis than "bad" or "terrible" would convey.

FAQs

How can I use "frightful" in a sentence?

"Frightful" is an adjective, so use it to describe a noun. For example, "The storm was a frightful experience" or "The food tasted frightful".

What words are similar to "frightful"?

Synonyms for "frightful" include "horrifying", "dreadful", "terrible", and "awful".

Is it better to say "frightful" or "frightening"?

Both "frightful" and "frightening" describe something that causes fear, but "frightful" can also mean extremely unpleasant. "Frightening" /s/frightening focuses specifically on causing fear.

When is it appropriate to use the word "frightful"?

Use "frightful" when you want to describe something that is either genuinely horrific and alarming or extremely unpleasant. It often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: