grew frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase in fear or anxiety over time or in response to a situation. Example: "As the storm approached, she grew frightened, realizing the severity of the weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Afterward, she grew frightened.

The New York Times

When he approached her, she grew frightened and covered her face with her hands.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile Mr Kim's son, Kim Jung Nam, grew frightened of his father and rebellious at the continual confinement.

The Economist

With time, Miss Som Rasmey said, she grew frightened by the colonel's brutality and by increasing threats from his wife.

The New York Times

"I want to say, 'No, they don't pay attention to us.' " She said her name was Akram, then grew frightened and slipped into her house.

The New York Times

When the Palestinians poured into Egypt, suddenly, officials in both Jordan and Egypt — the only neighbors with peace treaties with Israel — grew frightened that Israel planned to solve its Palestinian problem by forcing Egypt to absorb Gaza, and Jordan the West Bank.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

President Harry Truman charged that such "scaremongers" had "created such a wave of fear and uncertainty that... people are growing frightened -- and frightened people don't protest".

Huffington Post

I was growing frightened that I might not be able to cope.

The Guardian

Sometimes, as his Alzheimers' progressed, he would grow frightened, and clutch onto his wife's fragile arms, leaving bruises.

Huffington Post

Approach the cage slowly and calmly until the bird grows frightened.

WikiHow

A generation of children grew up frightened by his legend and haunted by the image of his face.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew frightened" to describe a gradual increase in fear over time, often in response to specific circumstances or events. It's particularly effective when illustrating a character's emotional development or a situation's escalating tension.

Common error

While "grew frightened" is appropriate in narrative, avoid using it excessively in direct dialogue. Characters are more likely to express their fear directly (e.g., "I'm scared!") rather than using such a descriptive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew frightened" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of becoming scared. It describes a change of state where someone's level of fear increases over time or due to certain circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew frightened" is a grammatically correct way to describe a gradual increase in fear, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not as common as alternatives like "became scared", it is suitable for describing a character's emotional progression or a situation's escalating tension. Usage is mostly common in News & Media. While predominantly neutral in register, careful use in dialogue prevents overuse and maintains realism. Its alternatives may offer slight variations in intensity or context, and examples from sources like The New York Times demonstrate appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became afraid

Simple change in verb to a more common synonym.

became scared

Interchangeable with "grew frightened", using a slightly less formal term.

started to fear

Focuses on the beginning of the feeling of fear.

began to panic

Implies a more sudden and intense onset of fear.

developed a fear

Suggests a fear that grows over time or from an experience.

became apprehensive

Indicates a feeling of anxiety or unease about something that might happen.

grew anxious

Describes a state of worry and nervousness, similar to fear.

became alarmed

Suggests a sudden realization of danger or threat.

started trembling

Focuses on the physical manifestation of fear through shaking.

lost courage

Highlights the loss of bravery or confidence due to fear.

FAQs

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

"Grew frightened" describes a gradual increase in fear. For example, "As the shadows lengthened, she "grew frightened" by the eerie silence of the forest".

What phrases are similar to "grew frightened"?

Similar phrases include "became afraid", "became scared", or "started to fear". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "grew frightened" more formal than "became scared"?

"Grew frightened" is slightly more formal and descriptive than "became scared". While both are acceptable, "grew frightened" is often used in more narrative or literary contexts, while "became scared" is more conversational.

What's the difference between "grew frightened" and "became terrified"?

"Grew frightened" suggests a gradual increase in fear, while "became terrified" implies a more immediate and intense feeling of extreme fear. The choice depends on the level of fear you want to convey.