has frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that has caused fear or alarm in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Example: "The sudden loud noise has frightened the children, making them cry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

What has frightened these nudes?

The New Yorker

That has frightened everyone.

The Guardian - Sport

But the gagging order has frightened them.

The Economist

That has frightened off foreign companies.

The Economist

Their inventiveness and determination has frightened the government too.

The Economist

This experience has frightened off many cities since.

The Economist

The Parliament has frightened the Commission ever since, he said.

The Economist

"But now, the violence we have seen on the rebel side has frightened everyone.

The New York Times - Magazine

All day we have been wondering if our presence has frightened them away temporarily.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

McCain's flirtation with an expansive, neoconservative agenda has been terrible for his campaign and has frightened Americans and much of the world with its calloused hubris.

Huffington Post

It has frightened me to my core that these homophobic, transphobic, racist, and sexist candidates are making their way to the White House.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has frightened" to describe a specific event or situation that caused fear and continues to have a lingering effect or relevance in the present. For example, "The near accident has frightened her, and she is now hesitant to drive."

Common error

While "has frightened" is grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "has alarmed" or "has unnerved" in professional writing. Consider the tone and audience when choosing your words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has frightened" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of causing fear occurred at some point in the past and has a continuing effect or relevance in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has frightened" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating that something caused fear in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in News & Media sources, followed by Science and Formal & Business contexts. While "has frightened" is generally neutral in register, users should consider alternatives such as "has alarmed" or "has unnerved" for more formal writing, while alternatives such as "has scared", "has terrified", "has intimidated", "has unnerved" can better express your purpose. Understanding the nuances and contexts will help in choosing the most appropriate phrasing for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has scared

A more general and common synonym for causing fear.

has alarmed

Implies a sense of sudden danger or concern.

has terrified

Indicates a more intense level of fear than "has frightened".

has intimidated

Suggests fear induced by a show of power or force.

has unnerved

Implies a loss of composure due to fear.

has daunted

Suggests a feeling of apprehension that discourages action.

has dismayed

Indicates a feeling of distress and discouragement.

has horrified

Signifies a strong feeling of shock and disgust.

has petrified

Implies a state of being paralyzed by fear.

has spooked

An informal way to say someone or something has caused fear or nervousness.

FAQs

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

Use "has frightened" to indicate that something has caused fear and the effects are still present. For example: "The experience "has frightened" her, and she now avoids similar situations."

What are some alternatives to "has frightened"?

Alternatives include "has scared", "has alarmed", or "has terrified", depending on the intensity of the fear you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "has frightened" and "has scared"?

While both convey fear, "has frightened" can sometimes imply a deeper or more lasting impact than "has scared". The choice depends on the context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "has frightened" or "frightened"?

"Has frightened" is the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that continues to have relevance. "Frightened" alone would typically be used as an adjective or in the simple past tense. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning and tense of the sentence.