get frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'get frightened' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a person's reaction to a fearful situation or event. Example: As the storm approached, the children started to get frightened.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But people get frightened.

The New York Times

People get frightened.

The New York Times

No. 1, I don't get frightened easily.

The New York Times

Watching them get frightened, my symptoms lifted.

The New York Times

Now, many people will get frightened.

The Guardian - Opinion

And Daron does not get frightened.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I got frightened.

The New Yorker

They got frightened.

The New York Times

I got crazy, I got frightened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I think we got frightened with cinema.

The Guardian - Film

"We heard the noise, she got frightened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get frightened" to describe a general sense of becoming scared or fearful in response to a situation or event. For instance, "The loud noise made the baby get frightened".

Common error

While it's tempting to intensify the phrase with extreme adjectives, avoid saying things like "get extremely frightened" too often. Consider using stronger verbs like "panic" or "terrify" for more impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get frightened" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a change of state to a condition of fear. Ludwig AI validates its use in describing a person's reaction to a fearful situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

31%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get frightened" is a common and correct way to express the act of becoming scared or fearful. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically sound, writers should avoid overuse with extreme adjectives and consider stronger verbs for more impact. Semantically related alternatives include "become scared" and "grow fearful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become scared

Focuses on the process of becoming fearful, similar to "get frightened".

become afraid

A direct synonym for becoming frightened.

grow fearful

Emphasizes a gradual increase in fear.

start to fear

Highlights the beginning of a feeling of fear.

feel fear

Describes the experience of fear.

grow anxious

Shifts the focus to anxiety, a related emotion.

become alarmed

Implies a sudden sense of danger.

experience dread

Conveys a more intense feeling of fear and apprehension.

start panicking

Focuses on the onset of panic, a severe form of fear.

lose courage

Describes the loss of bravery in the face of fear.

FAQs

What does "get frightened" mean?

The phrase "get frightened" means to become afraid or scared, usually in response to something alarming or unexpected.

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

You can use "get frightened" to describe someone's reaction to a scary situation. For example, "The children "became scared" during the thunderstorm".

What are some alternatives to "get frightened"?

Alternatives to "get frightened" include "become scared", "grow fearful", or "become afraid". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "get frightened" or "become frightened"?

Both "get frightened" and "become frightened" are correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.