it is scary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is scary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express fear or apprehension about a situation, event, or object. Example: "The thought of speaking in front of a large audience? It is scary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Today it is scary for different reasons: Its rapid melting is a symbol of global warming.

The New York Times - Science

"It is scary".

The New York Times

"But it is scary".

The New York Times

"It is scary," she said.

The New Yorker

It is scary and painful.

The New Yorker

But being responsible for it is scary.

The New York Times

"That is overwhelming, and it is scary.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is scary," admitted an associate (breaching protocol?).

The New York Times

It is scary and it has got to stop.

Independent

When he punches his trainer it is scary.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm going to be judged and it is scary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is scary" to directly and simply express fear or apprehension about a situation. The phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts where you want to convey a sense of unease or potential danger.

Common error

While "it is scary" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. In academic or professional documents, consider more precise and nuanced alternatives like "alarming", "concerning", or "unsettling" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is scary" primarily functions as a subjective commentary, expressing a personal feeling of fear or apprehension about a particular subject or situation. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's a direct way to communicate that something evokes fear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is scary" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to convey a feeling of fear or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile enough to be used in various contexts, with a primary presence in News & Media. While appropriate for general use, consider using more nuanced alternatives in formal writing to achieve a more sophisticated tone. Remember to avoid overuse and to tailor your language to the specific context and audience. Furthermore, while "it is scary" is usable in several situations, be aware of similar sentences with an alternative word that can enhance the message in a specific context like: "it is frightening", "it is alarming" or "it is unsettling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is frightening

Replaces "scary" with "frightening", a synonym with similar intensity.

it is terrifying

Substitutes "scary" with "terrifying", implying a stronger sense of fear.

it is alarming

Uses "alarming" instead of "scary", suggesting the situation is concerning and potentially dangerous.

it is unsettling

Replaces "scary" with "unsettling", indicating something that makes one feel uneasy or anxious.

it is chilling

Employs "chilling" instead of "scary", conveying a sense of cold, creeping fear.

it is daunting

Uses "daunting" suggesting something that is intimidating or overwhelming.

it is worrisome

Substitutes "scary" with "worrisome", indicating something that causes anxiety or concern.

it fills me with dread

This alternative is more emphatic, focusing on the feeling of dread that something inspires.

it makes me anxious

This alternative emphasizes the emotional impact of the situation.

it gives me the creeps

This alternative is more informal, suggesting something that causes a feeling of unease or disgust.

FAQs

How can I use "it is scary" in a sentence?

You can use "it is scary" to express fear or apprehension about something. For example, "The thought of public speaking? "It is scary"."

What are some alternatives to "it is scary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it is frightening", "it is alarming", or "it is unsettling".

Is "it's scary" grammatically correct?

"It's scary" is a contraction of "it is scary" and is perfectly grammatically correct and commonly used in informal contexts.

When should I use "it is scary" versus "it was scary"?

Use "it is scary" to describe something that currently evokes fear. Use "it was scary" to describe something that evoked fear in the past.