kind of scare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of scare" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or colloquial.
It can be used in casual conversation to express a mild feeling of fear or apprehension about something. Example: "The sudden noise in the dark kind of scare me, but I quickly realized it was just the wind."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It was not done maliciously, or as any kind of scare tactic.

Independent

"Using that kind of scare rhetoric is just terribly unfortunate," Clinton said of her opponent.

The Guardian

It is partly this sort of commercial piggybacking that perpetuates this kind of scare.

The Guardian

Those kind of scare tactics have no place in a campaign".

The New York Times

We've already seen the impact of this kind of scare campaign.

The Guardian

Maybe it will kind of scare him, to have Satan suddenly arrive in his cramped little coffin!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"They're kind of scared of me, and I'm kind of scared of them," said Mr. Green, whose songs derived much of their power from Willie Mitchell's often subtle production.

The New York Times - Arts

"You're kind of scared.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was that kind of scared".

The New York Times - Sports

Honestly, he kind of scares me.

The New York Times - Books

It kind of scared me.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In informal conversation, "kind of scare" is acceptable. However, for formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "slightly alarming" or "somewhat frightening".

Common error

Avoid using "kind of scare" in formal reports, academic papers, or professional communications. This phrase is generally too informal for such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of scare" functions as a qualifier expressing a mild degree of fear or apprehension. It modifies the verb "scare", indicating that something causes a slight or moderate feeling of fear, as seen in the Ludwig examples. The phrase is used informally to soften the impact of the verb.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

33%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kind of scare" is an informal qualifier used to express a mild degree of fear or apprehension. While acceptable in casual conversation, Ludwig AI suggests that it might not be considered standard in formal written English. It's more precise alternatives, such as "slightly alarming" or "somewhat frightening", are recommended for formal contexts. Although "kind of scare" isn't inherently incorrect, being mindful of the context and choosing more formal options when appropriate will enhance clarity and professionalism in your writing. It's usage is most commonly found in news, media and science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat frighten

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "frighten", to indicate a degree of fear, replacing "scare" and adding "somewhat" to soften the impact.

slightly alarm

This alternative uses "alarm", which suggests a sudden feeling of fear or concern, and "slightly" to indicate the degree.

make a bit nervous

This alternative replaces "scare" with "make nervous" and uses "a bit" to convey a mild feeling of anxiety.

cause some unease

This alternative introduces "unease", which describes a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, and "cause" to shift the structure.

intimidate a little

This alternative uses "intimidate" to suggest a feeling of being threatened or frightened, and "a little" to soften the impact.

create mild apprehension

This alternative uses "apprehension", which describes a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad might happen, and "mild" to indicate the intensity.

generate a little anxiety

This alternative uses "anxiety", which describes a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, and "a little" to soften the impact.

induce slight fear

This alternative replaces "scare" with "fear" and uses "induce" to shift the structure, with "slight" indicating the degree.

give a small fright

This alternative uses "fright", a more direct term for sudden fear, and "give" to alter the structure, with "small" indicating the intensity.

stir up a little concern

This alternative introduces "concern", which describes a feeling of worry or interest, and "stir up" to convey the action.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of scare" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of scare" to express a mild feeling of fear or apprehension. For example, "The sudden noise in the dark did "kind of scare" me, but I quickly realized it was just the wind".

What can I say instead of "kind of scare"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat frighten", "slightly alarm", or "make a bit nervous" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of scare"?

"Kind of scare" is generally acceptable in informal speech and writing, but more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase may not be considered standard in written English.

What is the difference between "kind of scare" and "scare"?

"Kind of scare" implies a lesser degree of fear compared to simply saying "scare". It suggests a mild feeling of apprehension rather than intense fright.