he was scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was scared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's emotional state, particularly in situations of fear or anxiety. Example: "As the thunder roared outside, he was scared and couldn't sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was scared.

The New York Times

"Maybe he was scared".

The New York Times

I know he was scared.

The New York Times

"I'm sure he was scared.

The New York Times

'He was scared of nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he was scared.

The New York Times - Books

People thought he was scared.

The Guardian - Sport

About how he was scared to die.

The New York Times

"He was crying, he was scared".

The New York Times

Only parrots he was scared of.

The Economist

Near the end, he was scared.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was scared" to describe a character's internal state, showing vulnerability or fear in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "he was scared" as a direct action. Instead of saying, "He was scared and ran", consider "He was scared, so he ran" or "He ran because he was scared" to clarify the cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was scared" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the emotion of fear to a male subject. It is a common way to express someone's emotional state, as confirmed by Ludwig, and it is widely used in various contexts to convey feelings of fear or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was scared" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state of fear. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While semantically similar phrases like "he felt afraid" or "he was frightened" can be used interchangeably, it's important to avoid misusing "scared" as a direct action. Overall, "he was scared" is a reliable and versatile way to convey someone's emotional state of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he felt afraid

This alternative uses a different verb to describe the feeling of fear.

he was frightened

This alternative uses a different adjective to describe the state of being scared.

he felt fear

This alternative uses a noun to express the feeling of fear.

he was terrified

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of fear.

he was anxious

This alternative suggests a state of unease and worry.

he was apprehensive

This alternative implies a feeling of dread or foreboding.

he was worried

This alternative indicates a state of concern or anxiety.

fear gripped him

This alternative uses a more vivid and dramatic expression.

he panicked

This alternative describes a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear.

he was in a state of fear

This alternative is a more formal and descriptive way to express fear.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he was scared"?

You can use alternatives like "he felt afraid", "he was frightened", or "he was terrified depending on the intensity of the fear".

How do I use "he was scared" in a sentence?

"He was scared" is used to describe a state of being. For example: "He was scared of the dark", or "He was scared when he heard the noise".

What's the difference between "he was scared" and "he was afraid"?

The phrases "he was scared" and "he was afraid" are largely interchangeable. "Scared" may sometimes imply a more sudden or startling fear, while "afraid" can suggest a more general or ongoing feeling of fear.

Is it correct to say "he was scare" instead of "he was scared"?

No, "he was scare" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "he was scared", where "scared" is the past participle form of the verb "to scare" used as an adjective.