get afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get afraid" is not correct in written English as it is a confused and overly simplified way of saying "become afraid." A better way of expressing the same the same concept in a written context would be "grow afraid," "feel afraid," or "become afraid." Example sentence: As the thunder boomed, he grew afraid of the storm.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"People didn't get afraid.

The New York Times

I'm starting to get afraid.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Of course you get afraid," he said.

The New York Times

That is when I get afraid".

The Guardian - Film

Sometimes of course you get afraid.

The New York Times - Magazine

"People get afraid when the vocabulary changes," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I got afraid of him.

The Guardian

I got afraid and continued our cooperation".

The New York Times

Kept getting afraid someone would steal my ideas.

The New Yorker

"Everyone has gotten afraid of complexity," Mr. Ritchie said.

The New York Times - Arts

Governor Blanco said the bus drivers, many of them women, "got afraid to drive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "get afraid" is commonly used, consider using more grammatically correct alternatives like "become afraid", "grow afraid", or "feel afraid" for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "get" as a linking verb in formal contexts. While convenient, it can make your writing sound less precise. Opt for stronger verbs that more accurately describe the change or state of being. For example, use "become" or "grow" instead of "get".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get afraid" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of experiencing fear. While common in everyday speech, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical informality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "get afraid" is commonly used and understood, it's considered grammatically informal. Ludwig AI suggests more formal and precise alternatives like "become afraid", "grow afraid", or "feel afraid", especially in written contexts. Although "get afraid" appears frequently in news media and informal content, writers should be mindful of the register and choose more appropriate phrasing for formal writing. Therefore, depending on the context, consider that it may be better to use "become afraid" rather than "get afraid".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become afraid

More formal and grammatically standard alternative using "become" instead of "get".

become frightened

More formal alternative using "frightened" rather than "afraid"

grow afraid

Implies a gradual increase in fear, similar to "get afraid".

feel afraid

Focuses on the emotional experience of fear.

get scared

An informal equivalent, using "scared" instead of "afraid".

start to fear

Suggests the beginning of the feeling of fear.

begin to be afraid

A slightly more verbose but grammatically sound alternative.

develop a fear

Implies a more lasting or significant feeling of fear.

be overcome with fear

Emphasizes the intensity of the fear.

find oneself afraid

A more literary or reflective way to express the feeling of fear.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "get afraid" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "become afraid", "grow afraid", or "feel afraid" for a more polished tone.

Is "get afraid" grammatically correct?

While commonly used in spoken language, "get afraid" is considered grammatically informal. More precise alternatives exist, such as "become afraid" or "grow afraid".

How to use "get afraid" in a sentence?

While you can use "get afraid" in informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "become afraid" or "start to fear" for a more formal tone. Example: "As the storm intensified, I began to get afraid." can become "As the storm intensified, I began to fear."

What's the difference between "get afraid" and "get scared"?

"Get afraid" and "get scared" are similar in meaning, both indicating the onset of fear. "Get scared" tends to be slightly more informal, while both are generally less formal than "become afraid".