have frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have frightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that has caused fear at some point in the past and may still have relevance in the present. Example: "The loud thunderclap have frightened the children during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I must have frightened you".

The New Yorker

They would not have frightened the Yardies or the Krays.

The Economist

Yet the noise may have frightened off the assailants.

The Guardian - Books

In any event, the arrests have frightened other academics and analysts.

The Economist

We talk about the sexual side of things, things that normally would have frightened me before".

Independent

I see I have frightened you–sit down and tell me all the news".

The New Yorker

Though it may have frightened people at the time, it has not come true.

The Economist

Allegations that vaccines could cause autism have frightened some parents away from giving them to children.

The New York Times - Health

Only the last match at the Wanderers might have frightened Bayliss.

The Guardian - Sport

Standing on the platform may have frightened the mice, and they might have become sick.

The New York Times

He added, "Let me just say $10 million would not have frightened me away".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have frightened" to describe a past action that instilled fear, especially when emphasizing the ongoing impact or consequences of that fear. For instance, "The company's poor financial results have frightened investors."

Common error

Avoid using "have frightened" when describing a present or future action. Use "are frightening" or "will frighten" instead. For example, don't say "These events have frightened people now," but instead say "These events are frightening people now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have frightened" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have frightened" is a grammatically sound and commonly used present perfect verb phrase, primarily employed to describe actions in the past that caused fear and which continue to have present relevance. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. The phrase is versatile enough for use across many different situations, but according to the examples it is particularly frequent in news and media. While alternatives like "have scared" or "have terrified" exist, "have frightened" occupies a neutral, functional space in formal and informal communication. Understanding its nuances helps to improve clarity and prevent errors in writing. A point to remember is that it should only be used to describe completed actions with past results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have scared

This alternative uses a more informal synonym for "frightened".

have terrified

This alternative suggests a more intense level of fear.

have petrified

This suggests extreme fear, bordering on paralysis.

have intimidated

This suggests the fear is due to a perceived threat or power imbalance.

have terrorized

Implies causing continuous fear and anxiety.

have alarmed

This implies a sudden feeling of fear or concern.

have horrified

This suggests a feeling of revulsion and shock alongside fear.

have unnerved

This suggests a loss of composure due to fear or anxiety.

have spooked

This alternative is more informal and suggests a sudden, mild fright.

have daunted

This alternative implies discouragement through fear of the task or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "have frightened" to indicate that someone or something has caused fear in the past and that this fear may still be relevant. For instance, "The recent news reports have frightened many residents."

What are some alternatives to "have frightened"?

Alternatives include "have scared", "have terrified", or "have alarmed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has frightened" instead of "have frightened"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has frightened" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has frightened her") and "have frightened" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have frightened her").

What is the difference between "have frightened" and "have scared"?

While both phrases express the idea of causing fear, "have frightened" can sometimes imply a deeper or more prolonged sense of unease compared to the more general "have scared".