it was scary

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it was scary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe something that made you feel scared or frightened. For example: "I was walking through the dark woods on my own and it was scary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And, it was scary.

The New York Times

But it was scary.

Independent

"It was scary, though.

The New York Times

NICHOLS -- It was scary.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was scary," Pistorius reflected.

Independent

It was scary but safe.

The New Yorker

"It was scary," he said.

The New York Times

"It was scary," she said.

The New York Times

"It was scary," Sharper said.

The New York Times

"It was scary," he recalled.

Independent

"In hospital it was scary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an experience, use "it was scary" to straightforwardly convey the feeling of fear, ensuring clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "The situation was fraught with peril", you can simply state "it was scary".

Common error

Avoid replacing "it was scary" with overly formal or vague language that diminishes the emotional impact. Saying "the circumstances were less than ideal" doesn't capture the immediate sense of fear as effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was scary" functions as a statement expressing a subjective experience of fear or apprehension. It serves to communicate the emotional impact of a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was scary" is a common and straightforward way to express a feeling of fear or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase. For more formal settings, alternatives like "it felt terrifying" or "it seemed frightening" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "it was scary" when you want to directly convey your personal experience of fear, but avoid overuse in formal writing where more nuanced language might be necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it felt terrifying

Emphasizes the feeling of terror associated with the experience.

it seemed frightening

Uses "frightening" to describe the apparent nature of the event.

it proved alarming

Highlights the disquieting or disturbing nature of the situation.

it made me afraid

Focuses on the personal experience of fear.

it was petrifying

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect of the fear.

it caused great fear

Indicates the event was the origin of the feeling of fear.

it filled me with dread

Conveys a sense of intense apprehension or foreboding.

it instilled terror

Highlights the lasting impact of the event in creating a sense of fear.

it inspired fear

Points out the feeling of fear being caused by external source.

it gave me the creeps

Indicates a feeling of unease or disgust rather than intense fear.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "it felt terrifying", "it seemed frightening", or "it proved alarming" depending on the context.

How do I use "it was scary" in a sentence?

You can use "it was scary" to describe an event or situation that caused fear. For example, "Walking alone at night, it was scary".

Is "it was scary" too informal for academic writing?

While "it was scary" is generally acceptable, academic writing may benefit from more descriptive and nuanced language depending on the context. Consider alternatives like "the experience was deeply unsettling" or "the situation evoked considerable apprehension".

What's the difference between "it was scary" and "it was frightening"?

Both phrases convey a sense of fear, but "it was frightening" might suggest a more intense or prolonged experience of fear compared to "it was scary". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.