i was frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was frightened" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a past experience or emotion of fear or anxiety. Here are some examples: - "I was frightened by the loud thunderstorm last night." - "As a child, I was always frightened of the dark." - "When I saw the ghostly figure, I was absolutely frightened." - "Even though I was frightened, I knew I had to face my fear." - "The movie was so scary that I was frightened the whole time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"And I was frightened!

The New Yorker

I was frightened," she said.

The Guardian

But I was frightened, man.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I was frightened," he said.

The New York Times

I admit I was frightened.

The Guardian - Books

I was frightened by that".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I am frightened - I am frightened of everybody now".

The Guardian

I am frightened.

The New York Times - Health

"I'm frightened.

The New York Times

— Because I'm frightened.

The New Yorker

Really, I'm frightened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific event that caused fear, follow "i was frightened" with a prepositional phrase (e.g., "i was frightened by the noise").

Common error

While grammatically correct, "frightened" can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "apprehensive" or "concerned", depending on the context. Consider your audience and choose vocabulary accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was frightened" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past emotional state. Ludwig examples confirm its use in conveying personal experiences of fear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i was frightened" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past feeling of fear, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its neutrality and broad applicability. While direct synonyms like "i was scared" exist, the choice of vocabulary may depend on the specific nuance and desired level of formality. For instance, one could consider "i was terrified" or "i was afraid" to convey different degrees of fear. When using this phrase, it’s crucial to follow it with a prepositional phrase to clearly indicate the source of the fear. As exemplified in the Ludwig examples, this expression effectively conveys personal experiences and emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was scared

This is a direct synonym, conveying a similar level of fear.

i was afraid

A more general term for fear, slightly less intense than "frightened".

i was terrified

Indicates a greater intensity of fear than "frightened".

i was petrified

Indicates an extreme level of fear, often to the point of being unable to move.

i felt fear

Shifts from a direct statement to a description of feeling.

i was anxious

Implies worry and unease, rather than a sudden shock.

i was alarmed

Highlights the suddenness and surprise of the fear.

i was apprehensive

Suggests anticipation of something frightening.

i was intimidated

Fear is induced by a feeling of being threatened or overpowered.

i panicked

Focuses on the reaction to being frightened.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "i was frightened"?

You can use alternatives like "i was scared", "i was terrified", or "i was afraid" depending on the context and intensity of the emotion.

Is "i was frightened of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "i was frightened of" is grammatically correct. It's often followed by the object or situation that caused the fear, such as "i was frightened of the dark".

What is the difference between "i was frightened" and "i was scary"?

"I was frightened" means that you experienced fear. "I was scary" means that you caused fear in others. The words have opposite meanings, and it's important not to mix them up.

How can I use "i was frightened" in a sentence?

You can use "i was frightened" to describe a past experience of fear. For example, "i was frightened by the thunder" or "i was frightened when I heard the news".