more afraid than

USAGE SUMMARY

'more afraid than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things, typically two feelings of fear. For example: "I'm more afraid of heights than I am of spiders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"People are more afraid than ever.

Independent

"The violent people are now more afraid than we are.

The New York Times

Residents are more afraid than they've ever been.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said that he was more afraid than he had ever been.

The New Yorker

"Since these shootings happened, I feel more afraid than ever," he said.

The New York Times

I am relieved, yet at the same time more afraid than ever.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They based their decision on the fact that the law made women more afraid, rather than more likely, to seek treatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

That makes people really uncomfortable just because there's nothing men are more afraid of than a crying woman".

Vice

"He is more afraid of prison than of death".

The New York Times

People are more afraid of responsibility than anything else.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm more afraid of police than terrorists".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing fears, be specific about what is causing the greater fear. For example, "I am "more afraid than" I was yesterday because of the approaching storm" offers clarity.

Common error

Avoid illogical comparisons by ensuring you are comparing like terms. Saying "I am "more afraid than" my car" doesn't make sense; instead, clarify by saying "I am "more afraid than" I am confident".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more afraid than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to compare two different levels of fear, indicating that one situation or entity evokes a stronger sense of fear than another. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more afraid than" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a comparative state of fear, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile enough for use in various contexts, from formal writing to casual conversation, though some synonyms like "more apprehensive than" might be preferred in more formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure logical comparisons are made to avoid confusion. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media and Science, underscoring its broad applicability in reporting and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more scared than

Focuses on the feeling of being scared, which is a direct synonym for afraid, with minimal change in meaning.

more frightened than

Replaces 'afraid' with 'frightened', another synonym, slightly emphasizing the intensity of the fear.

more terrified than

Intensifies the emotion to terror, indicating a higher degree of fear.

more anxious than

Shifts the focus to anxiety, which can be related to fear but implies more of a worry or unease about the future.

more apprehensive than

Suggests a feeling of unease or dread about something that might happen.

more worried than

Replaces fear with worry, indicating concern or distress about potential problems.

more concerned than

Implies a level of care and attention to something that provokes fear.

greater fear than

Changes the structure to emphasize the noun 'fear' rather than the adjective 'afraid'.

larger dread than

Substitutes 'fear' with 'dread', indicating a more intense and prolonged feeling of apprehension.

more uneasy than

Expresses a sense of discomfort or anxiety, which is a weaker form of fear.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "more afraid than" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you might use "more apprehensive than" or "exhibiting a greater degree of fear than". These alternatives offer a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "more afraid than" and "more anxious than"?

"More afraid than" typically refers to a direct and immediate fear response, while "more anxious than" suggests a broader sense of worry or unease about potential future events. The former is a reaction, the latter is anticipation.

Is it correct to say "more afraid than ever"?

Yes, "more afraid than ever" is a common and grammatically sound expression. It indicates that someone's current level of fear is higher than at any previous point in their life or experience.

When is it appropriate to use "more scared than" instead of "more afraid than"?

"More scared than" is generally considered more informal than "more afraid than". While they are often interchangeable, "more scared than" might be preferable in casual conversation or less formal writing. Both phrases effectively communicate a heightened state of fear.