grew afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

'grew afraid' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone experiences a feeling of fear or apprehension. For example, "The darkness of the night caused her to grow increasingly afraid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Then I grew afraid.

The New Yorker

More came, their mouths open, and I grew afraid.

Independent

She quickened her step, but then grew afraid that she had startled him.

The New Yorker

But then she grew afraid that it might be stolen, so she carefully secreted it away in a closet.

The New York Times - Arts

The second addressed the people of Moscow, whom he praised for their Christian loyalty in the face of the boyars' impiety.Unable to rule in Ivan's absence or to settle internal disputes, the boyars grew afraid that the state might disintegrate.

The Economist

However, as time passed she became aware of Archie's "true colours" and grew afraid of him.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I've begun to grow afraid — so awfully afraid — of the young," he says).

The New Yorker

Politicians have grown afraid to criticize war, for fear of appearing to criticize soldiers.

The New York Times

Maurice's grades were declining as he spent more time with Kristina; he was trying unsuccessfully to break up with her, losing control, growing afraid.

The New York Times

But then you might hurt each other to gain your wishes, and grow afraid of each other, and still go on wanting".

The New York Times - Books

She said that she had grown afraid of Niveen, because of the "history that we have through the whole family-court system and beyond".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "grew afraid". It's suitable for narratives where a character's feelings develop over time.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "grew afraid" might sound slightly less formal than alternatives like "became fearful" in academic or business writing. Choose the phrasing that best suits your audience and purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew afraid" functions as a predicate adjective construction, describing a state of being that is developed over time. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct. It connects the subject to the adjective "afraid" through the linking verb "grew", indicating a process of becoming fearful.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grew afraid" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the gradual development of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not as frequent as some alternatives, it is commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the slight difference in formality compared to alternatives like "became frightened". Using "grew afraid" effectively involves understanding its nuanced meaning of a gradual emotional shift, as opposed to a sudden scare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became frightened

Replaces "grew" with "became" and "afraid" with a synonym, "frightened", slightly altering the tone.

turned fearful

Uses "turned" to indicate a change in state to fearful, maintaining a similar level of formality.

started to fear

Uses "started" to emphasize the beginning of the fear, changing the verb structure.

began to be afraid

Replaces "grew" with "began to be", adding slight emphasis to the process of becoming afraid.

became apprehensive

Substitutes "afraid" with "apprehensive", conveying a sense of unease or anxiety.

developed a fear of

Shifts the focus to the development of a fear, implying a more established feeling.

felt fear rising

Focuses on the physical sensation of fear increasing, altering the verb choice.

was seized by fear

Emphasizes a sudden onset of fear, suggesting a more intense experience.

fear increased

A more concise way to express the growing sense of fear, simplifying the sentence structure.

unease crept in

Uses more figurative language to describe the gradual onset of unease, which is related to fear.

FAQs

How can I use "grew afraid" in a sentence?

You can use "grew afraid" to describe a gradual increase in fear. For example, "As the storm intensified, she "grew afraid" of what might happen".

What are some alternatives to "grew afraid"?

Some alternatives to "grew afraid" include "became frightened", "started to fear", or "began to be afraid".

Is it correct to say "grew afraid"?

Yes, "grew afraid" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the development of fear.

What's the difference between "grew afraid" and "became afraid"?

While both phrases are similar, "grew afraid" suggests a more gradual and subtle increase in fear compared to "became afraid".