get fearful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get fearful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone begins to feel fear or anxiety about something. Example: "As the deadline approached, many team members began to get fearful about the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Seeing these headlines day after day, people sort of pull back and get fearful.

The New York Times

I pray a lot when I get fearful" -- said she finds herself taking a nontheological approach to Sarah Brown's missionary ardor.

The New York Times

"Do you have panic attacks?" "Do you get fearful in crowded situations?" "Have you ever experienced a traumatic event that later caused flashbacks or nightmares?" Each of J.J.'s answers provided me with a clue, closing off one possibility while opening up others.

The New York Times

These tactics and rhetoric – the unrapeable sex worker, the acceptable target – can silence porn performers; as Leathers said, "The industry is so marginalised that people get fearful of talking about its problems, because we already feel so attacked in so many different ways".

The Guardian

You might get fearful.

Huffington Post

I'll never get fearful.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I think because of events in the east, quite literally, people are getting fearful again because we often fear what we don't understand.

Independent

At one point when three little girls walked toward the stage rim and sat in a circle amid the celebrating Russian throngs, you sensed the whole audience getting fearful.

The New York Times - Arts

He said: "Some people are getting fearful, largely because there are people going around saying 'the Tories are going to sell off the health service to Americans'.

BBC

Instead, you'll follow the Warren Buffet principle of getting greedy when everyone else gets fearful.

Huffington Post

Trevor, who is at first enthusiastic, starts getting fearful as the trek is about to begin, but he rallies forth.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "get fearful" when you want to emphasize the process of becoming afraid, rather than a constant state of fear. It suggests a transition into a fearful state.

Common error

Avoid using "get fearful" when you mean to describe a constant state of fear. "Be fearful" implies a continuous condition, while "get fearful" indicates a transition into that state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get fearful" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process or transition into a state of fear. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, describing the moment someone begins to experience fear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get fearful" accurately conveys the process of becoming afraid. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically sound and commonly used in varied contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's more common to simply use the adjective 'fearful', using the verb "get" implies a transition to that state. It's suitable for neutral or slightly informal settings. When writing, be aware of the subtle distinction between "get fearful" and "be fearful", using the former to emphasize the act of becoming afraid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become afraid

Focuses on the resulting state of fear, using a more basic vocabulary.

grow fearful

Emphasizes a gradual increase in fear.

start to fear

Highlights the beginning of the fearful feeling.

get scared

Uses a more informal and common synonym for fearful.

become apprehensive

Employs a more formal and nuanced term for feeling worried or anxious.

develop a fear

Highlights the development of a specific fear.

feel fear

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the sensation of fear.

be overcome with fear

Expresses a stronger, more intense experience of fear.

fall into fear

Suggests a passive descent into a state of fear.

be seized by fear

Indicates a sudden and overwhelming experience of fear.

FAQs

How can I use "get fearful" in a sentence?

You can use "get fearful" to describe a situation where someone begins to experience fear. For example, "People "get fearful" when they read about plane crashes".

What's a more formal alternative to "get fearful"?

A more formal alternative would be "become apprehensive", which suggests a feeling of anxiety or worry.

Is it correct to say "getting fearful"?

Yes, "getting fearful" is the continuous form and is grammatically correct. For example, "Trevor starts "getting fearful" as the trek is about to begin".

What's the difference between "get fearful" and "be fearful"?

"Get fearful" indicates the process of becoming afraid, while "be fearful" describes the state of being afraid.