is frightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is frightened" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present tense form of the verb "frighten," which means to cause fear or distress to someone. Example: The little girl is frightened of the dark and refuses to go to sleep without a nightlight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The woman is frightened".

The New Yorker

The Assyrian smiling bull is frightened.

Harvard University

The man on the couch is frightened.

The New Yorker

"She is frightened, tight, and so on.

The Economist

The BBC is frightened of criticising Islam.

Independent

"Everyone setting up a business is frightened.

The Times

Inwardly, he knows she is frightened.

The New York Times

Everyone I've talked to is frightened.

The New Yorker

"Everybody is frightened now," she whispers.

The Guardian

She is frightened and thinks he wants her.

The New Yorker

I think it is frightened of being sued.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is frightened", consider the intensity of the fear you want to convey. Synonyms like "terrified" or "scared" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "is frightened" when you mean "to frighten". "Is frightened" describes a state of being, while "to frighten" is an action. For example, say "The loud noise frightened the cat", not "The loud noise is frightened the cat".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is frightened" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a present tense form denoting a current feeling of fear. Examples show it used to describe people, animals, and even abstract concepts like money.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

20%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is frightened" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that serves to describe a state of being afraid. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers numerous examples across various contexts. While alternatives like "is scared" or "is terrified" may offer nuanced shades of meaning, "is frightened" remains a versatile and reliable choice for conveying fear. Usage patterns indicate its prevalence in news and media, as well as in informal and scientific writing, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is scared

This alternative is a more common and slightly less intense synonym.

is afraid

This alternative is another common synonym, conveying a similar level of fear or apprehension.

is in fear

This alternative is a more descriptive way to say someone feels fear.

is terrified

This alternative suggests a more extreme level of fear than "is frightened".

is petrified

This alternative signifies an intense, immobilizing fear.

is alarmed

This alternative implies a sudden awareness of danger or threat.

is anxious

This alternative focuses more on the feeling of unease and worry, rather than direct fear.

is filled with dread

This alternative conveys a sense of impending doom or overwhelming anxiety.

is apprehensive

This alternative suggests a more formal and intellectual anticipation of something unpleasant.

is intimidated

This alternative suggests fear caused by a sense of inferiority or threat from someone else.

FAQs

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

You can use "is frightened" to describe someone's emotional state. For instance, "The child "is frightened" by the thunderstorm" indicates that the child is experiencing fear due to the storm.

What are some alternatives to saying "is frightened"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is scared", "is afraid", or "is terrified" instead of "is frightened".

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

"Is frightened" is present tense, describing a current state of fear. "Was frightened" is past tense, describing a state of fear that occurred in the past. The correct choice depends on the time frame you are referencing.

What is the difference between "is frightening" and "is frightened"?

"Is frightening" describes something that causes fear (e.g., "The movie is frightening"). "Is frightened" describes someone experiencing fear (e.g., "The child "is frightened"").