it alarmed me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it alarmed me' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has caused you to feel a sense of worry or fright. For example: I heard a loud noise outside, and it alarmed me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Many have criticized Zero Dark Thirty for its lack of moral gripes with torture, but it alarmed me more with its message about the heroic squatters of Tahrir and other protests.

The Guardian - Opinion

It alarmed me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It alarms me," said Frank O'Laughlin, 49, a resident of La Crosse who works for the National Guard finding jobs for veterans.

The New York Times

"When I see these things happening and the market reactions in Brazil, it alarms me," said Monica DeBolle of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The Guardian

It alarms me to see how clearly and unexpectedly I have been affected – I will never now be able to direct or read this play.

The Guardian - Books

"It alarms me that they would give my name, and it is also a huge concern that they are calling themselves social adult day and not providing core services".

The New York Times

RA It's always nice to see a bit of merch promoting 1979's Zombie Flesh Eaters, one of Italian splatter king Lucio Fulci's less rubbish horror films, but it alarms me that we don't see the full title in any of the frankly unflattering shots on offer here.

The Guardian

But when people say things like this without irony, it alarms me.

Huffington Post

It's the equivalent of rushing me to the altar, and it alarms me in a personal context, but I'm starting to seriously think about committing to the program.

Vice

Ms. Gillibrand said she was also acting in response to the article's focus on Stephanie Smith, a 22-year-old former dance instructor who was left partly paralyzed two years ago by E. coli that officials traced to hamburger, saying that "it really alarmed me and got me working with staff on what we can do now".

The New York Times - Health

It saddened and alarmed me that his words resonated so deeply with the racist right that the Ku Klux Klan's leading newspaper endorsed him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it alarmed me" to express a personal reaction of worry or fear when encountering something unexpected or concerning. This phrase is best suited for conveying a direct emotional response to a specific event or piece of information.

Common error

While "it alarmed me" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing where a more nuanced or descriptive phrase might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives that specify the type and degree of concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it alarmed me" functions as a statement expressing a personal feeling of being worried or frightened by something. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It describes a direct emotional reaction to an event or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Books

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it alarmed me" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to express a personal feeling of worry or fright when confronted with something unexpected or concerning. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct. While suitable for various contexts, it is more frequently found in news and media, books, and scientific publications. For more formal writing, consider more descriptive alternatives. Common related phrases include "it worried me" and "it concerned me". Though only a few examples are present, the phrase is considered correct for expressing feelings of unease or fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it worried me

Focuses more on concern and less on sudden fear.

it concerned me

Indicates a sense of worry or apprehension, often about potential consequences.

it disturbed me

Emphasizes a feeling of unease and disruption of peace of mind.

it frightened me

Highlights a stronger sense of fear and trepidation.

it scared me

Implies a sudden and intense feeling of fear.

it troubled me

Suggests a lingering sense of unease and mental burden.

it unsettled me

Indicates a feeling of being disturbed and lacking peace of mind.

it bothered me

Implies a feeling of mild annoyance and irritation.

it dismayed me

Focuses on a sense of disappointment and discouragement.

it shook me

Emphasizes a strong emotional impact and sense of being disturbed.

FAQs

What does "it alarmed me" mean?

The phrase "it alarmed me" means that something caused you to feel worried, anxious, or afraid. It expresses a personal reaction to an event or piece of information that you found concerning.

What can I say instead of "it alarmed me"?

You can use alternatives like "it worried me", "it concerned me", or "it disturbed me" depending on the specific context and the intensity of your reaction.

How formal is the phrase "it alarmed me"?

The phrase "it alarmed me" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both casual and more formal contexts, although more descriptive alternatives may be preferable in highly formal writing.

Is it correct to say "that alarmed me" instead of "it alarmed me"?

Yes, "that alarmed me" is perfectly correct and often interchangeable with "it alarmed me". The choice between the two depends on the specific context and what "that" or "it" refers to.