grew scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew scared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase in fear or anxiety in a person or character. Example: "As the storm approached, she grew scared of the loud thunder and flashing lightning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Annie writes to her friend Sadie that George killed Simon with an ax, because he always needled him, and that Annie left because she grew scared of George.

The New Yorker

After the accident on Three Mile Island in 1979, Americans grew scared of nuclear power and stopped building new reactors, even though no one died in that accident.

The Economist

During those formative years when the idea of sex with another man suddenly became a tangible reality, I also grew scared shitless of catching an STI.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And as those around him grew increasingly scared, they told him only what he wanted to hear.

The Economist

In the 1906 revision, she grew "as scared as if the objects about her had begun to show for conscious things, watching her trouble with grotesque grimaces".

The Guardian - Books

The police seemed incapable of making a dent in the neighborhood's problems, and the families living there grew increasingly scared and frustrated.

The Guardian

According to Elisa Young, who uploaded the video, the dog eventually grew less scared of the duck.

Huffington Post

"Then you get scared you might not see them grow up".

The New York Times

Investors have grown increasingly scared that the high-grade notes are backed by bundles of subprime mortgages.

The New York Times

"I wanted to be sure Lucy would not grow up scared," she said.

Huffington Post

Blatt joked that he grew up "scared of the big, bad Russians," but with the United States expected to play Russia in the knockout round of the world championships here on Thursday, his presence on the sideline provides one of the most glaring pieces of evidence that the sporting world's version of the cold war has thawed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "grew scared" can suggest a slowly developing unease, which might be more appropriate than "became scared" if you want to convey a subtle shift in emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "grew scared" when describing an immediate, sudden fright. Instead, opt for phrases like "became terrified" or "jumped in fear" to better convey the instantaneous nature of the emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew scared" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual transition into a state of fear. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in describing how someone's fear increased over time due to specific circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew scared" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit less common than alternatives like "became scared". As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys a gradual increase in fear over time. Its neutral register and presence in news media make it suitable for diverse writing contexts. When using "grew scared", consider whether you intend to emphasize the progressive nature of the fear, as this is its defining characteristic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became afraid

A more direct and common way to express the onset of fear.

became frightened

Similar to 'became afraid', but often implies a more sudden onset of fear.

started to fear

Indicates the beginning of a feeling of fear.

began to be afraid

Emphasizes the initial stage of feeling fear.

developed a fear

Suggests a fear that has grown or established itself over time.

turned fearful

Highlights the transformation into a state of fear.

gotten scared

A more informal way of saying became scared.

got afraid

A more informal version of becoming afraid.

became apprehensive

Focuses on anxiety or unease about the future.

felt fear rising

Emphasizes the physical sensation of fear increasing.

FAQs

What does "grew scared" mean?

"Grew scared" means that someone gradually became more and more afraid or frightened over a period of time, rather than experiencing a sudden shock of fear. It suggests a progressive increase in anxiety or apprehension.

What can I say instead of "grew scared"?

You can use alternatives such as "became afraid", "started to fear", or "turned fearful" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it correct to say "grew scared"?

Yes, "grew scared" is grammatically correct, although other alternatives like "became scared" may be more commonly used. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English.

How does "grew scared" differ from "became scared"?

"Grew scared" implies a gradual increase in fear over time, while "became scared" can refer to a more sudden onset of fear. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the gradual development of the emotion.