it was terrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was terrifying' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that was frightening or alarming. For example, "When the tornado hit our town, it was terrifying and I thought we were going to lose our house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was terrifying in its effectiveness.

HuffPost

Mostly, it was terrifying.

The New Yorker

"Instead it was terrifying".

The New York Times - Books

It was terrifying nonetheless.

The New York Times - Health

For me, it was terrifying.

University of California, Berkeley

And it was terrifying.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's terrifying".

The New York Times

It is terrifying.

The New Yorker

So yeah, it's terrifying.

The New York Times

And yes, it is terrifying.

The New York Times

Yet, it's terrifying.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was terrifying" to convey a strong sense of fear or alarm caused by a specific event or situation. Ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was terrifying" vaguely without specifying what caused the terror. Always provide context to give the statement impact and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was terrifying" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It expresses a subjective assessment of an experience or situation, indicating that it induced a feeling of intense fear or dread. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was terrifying" is a common and grammatically sound way to express intense fear or alarm, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and academic contexts, its straightforward structure emphasizes the subjective feeling of terror. While alternatives like "it was frightening" or "it was horrifying" can offer nuanced shades of meaning, the directness of "it was terrifying" ensures clarity and impact. To maximize its effectiveness, provide specific context to avoid vagueness and ensure a potent emotional connection with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was frightening

Changes the intensity of the feeling described.

it was alarming

Focuses on the signal of danger or concern.

it was horrifying

Emphasizes the shocking and disturbing nature.

it was petrifying

Highlights the paralyzing aspect of fear.

it was chilling

Conveys a sense of cold, unsettling fear.

it was dreadful

Indicates a strong sense of apprehension and unpleasantness.

it was spine-chilling

Stresses the physical sensation of fear.

it was unnerving

Focuses on the anxiety and discomfort caused by the experience.

it was bloodcurdling

Emphasizes extreme horror and fear.

it filled me with dread

Shifts focus to the internal feeling of intense fear.

FAQs

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

Use "it was terrifying" to describe a situation that caused intense fear. For example, "The roller coaster was so high that "it was terrifying"".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was frightening", "it was alarming", or "it was horrifying" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes "it was terrifying" an effective phrase?

The phrase's effectiveness comes from its directness and clarity in conveying a strong emotional response to a frightening experience. It immediately communicates the intensity of the fear felt.

Is "it was terrifying" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was terrifying" might be more suitable for informal or narrative writing. In formal contexts, consider using more descriptive and nuanced language to convey the sense of fear or alarm.