have been scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been scared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a state of fear that has occurred over a period of time up to the present moment. Example: "I have been scared of the dark ever since I was a child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Many have been scared off.

The New York Times - Books

You must have been scared.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other contestants might have been scared off.

University of California, Berkeley

"He [Ali] would have been scared.

The Guardian - Sport

"People have been scared," he said.

The New York Times

And yet — "Since 2001, people have been scared," he explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

James, the fans agreed, must indeed have been scared.

The New York Times

Institutions have been "scared into thinking small," Mr. Kaiser writes.

The New York Times - Arts

I have been scared every day since November 8 , 2016

The New Yorker

Some people would have been scared, or at least nervous.

The New York Times

And he would have been scared straight long ago.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been scared" to describe a state of fear that has persisted over a period. For example, "I have been scared of public speaking since my first presentation."

Common error

Avoid using "have been scared" when describing a single, isolated incident of fear. Instead, use "was scared". For example, say "I was scared when I saw the spider", not "I have been scared when I saw the spider."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been scared" functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a state of being (scared) that has persisted over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly expresses a state of fear that has occurred over a period of time up to the present moment. It emphasizes the duration and ongoing impact of the fear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been scared" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lingering feeling of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing a state of fear that has persisted over time. As evidenced by the examples, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects an ongoing state of fear, as opposed to a single incident. Alternatives like "have felt afraid" or "have been frightened" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have felt afraid

Focuses on the feeling of fear, replacing "scared" with a more general term.

have been frightened

Uses a synonym of "scared" to convey a similar meaning.

have been terrified

Indicates a higher degree of fear than "scared".

have felt anxious

Shifts the focus to anxiety, a related but distinct emotion.

have been intimidated

Suggests fear caused by someone or something powerful.

have experienced fear

Formal and detached way of expressing the feeling of fear.

have been apprehensive

Implies a sense of unease or worry about the future.

have been worried

Expresses concern and anxiety about something.

have been uneasy

Suggests a lack of comfort and a feeling of nervousness.

have lost courage

Indicates a loss of bravery due to fear.

FAQs

How can I use "have been scared" in a sentence?

Use "have been scared" to describe a state of fear that has persisted over a period of time. For example: "I have been scared of flying since I experienced turbulence."

What can I say instead of "have been scared"?

You can use alternatives like "have felt afraid", "have been frightened", or "have been terrified" depending on the context and intensity of the fear.

Which is correct, "have been scared" or "was scared"?

"Have been scared" indicates a state of fear continuing from the past to the present, while "was scared" refers to a single past event. Choose based on whether the fear is ongoing or isolated.

What's the difference between "have been scared" and "are scared"?

"Have been scared" describes a past experience that continues to influence the present, whereas "are scared" describes a current state of fear. For example, "I have been scared to travel alone since the incident" versus "I am scared to walk alone at night".