it was frightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was frightening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or experience that caused fear or anxiety. Example: "As I walked through the dark forest, I heard strange noises, and it was frightening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Sometimes it was frightening.

The Guardian - Books

I was so nervous it was frightening.

Independent

"It was frightening at our hotel.

Independent

"It was frightening to watch.

The Guardian - Sport

It was frightening, and it was freeing.

The New York Times

It was frightening for our town.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It's frightening.

The New York Times - Arts

And it is frightening.

The Guardian - Business

Second, it is frightening.

The Guardian

It's frightening and sickening.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it is frightening, isn't it?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was frightening" to describe a specific event or situation that caused fear, rather than a general state of anxiety. This adds impact and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was frightening" with vague or unclear subjects. Ensure the 'it' refers to a clearly defined event or situation to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was frightening" functions as a subject complement, providing information about the subject 'it'. It's a common way to describe a past event or situation that induced fear. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was frightening" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past event or situation that caused fear or alarm. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is appropriate and widely accepted in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and serves to convey the emotional impact of an event. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "it was terrifying" or "it was scary" to add nuance to your writing. Always ensure the subject of the phrase, 'it', is clearly defined to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was terrifying

Changes the intensity of the feeling, implying a more extreme level of fear.

it was scary

Offers a more general and commonly used term for causing fear.

it was alarming

Focuses on the sense of being alerted to danger or a problem.

it was chilling

Implies a cold, unsettling feeling that induces fear.

it was unnerving

Suggests a loss of composure or confidence due to fear.

it was dreadful

Conveys a sense of great unpleasantness and fear.

it filled me with dread

Shifts the focus to the internal feeling of fear it caused to the speaker.

it instilled fear

Highlights the action of causing fear.

i felt afraid

Changes the structure of the sentence, focusing on the feeling of the speaker.

it was spine-chilling

Offers a more vivid and descriptive term for causing fear.

FAQs

How can I use "it was frightening" in a sentence?

Use "it was frightening" to describe a situation or event that caused fear. For instance, "The storm raged outside, and "it was frightening" to see the trees bending so violently".

What can I say instead of "it was frightening"?

You can use alternatives like "it was terrifying", "it was scary", or "it was alarming" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "it was frightening"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "it was frightening". However, ensure the sentence provides sufficient context to understand what "it" refers to.

What is the difference between "it was frightening" and "I was frightened"?

"It was frightening" describes the situation as fear-inducing, while "I was frightened" describes your personal emotional response to the situation. For example, "The movie was frightening" versus "I was frightened by the movie".