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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
more scary than
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "more scary than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of fear or frightfulness of two or more things. Example: "This horror movie is more scary than the last one I watched."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Sports
Lifestyle
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
58 human-written examples
"It was more scary than anything else.
News & Media
Far more scary than the burkini.
News & Media
I promise you Putin is a lot more scary than Megyn Kelly".
News & Media
"But no more more scary than sleeping the night in a field in south Jersey".
News & Media
"The trapeze was much more scary than the nudity," Ms. Lumley said.
News & Media
"The fact of the unknown is more scary than actually having a diagnosis".
News & Media
These guys were far more scary than football hooligans," he said.
News & Media
They're full of incredibly competitive cyclists – more scary than people in cars.
News & Media
There can be few things more scary than putting together a programme as daring and diverse as yours.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
2 human-written examples
"It's only like one person that's more scarier than that, and that's God," the Pacers' George Hill would say later.
News & Media
There's nothing more scarier, than your monster of choice leaping from something seemingly innocent, such as a locker, right?
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms for "scary" such as "frightening", "terrifying", or "intimidating" to add nuance and avoid repetition.
Common error
Avoid using "more scary than" in situations where the item being compared is unclear or undefined. This can lead to confusion and weaken your statement. Instead of saying "It's "more scary than" ever", specify what it is scarier than.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "more scary than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to express that one thing possesses a higher degree of scariness compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.
Frequent in
News & Media
69%
Lifestyle
10%
Sports
7%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Science
2%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "more scary than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that effectively communicates a greater degree of fear. As Ludwig AI's analysis reveals, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with applications in sports, lifestyle, and even scientific discussions. While the alternative "scarier than" exists and is often preferred for its simplicity, "more scary than" offers a valid and versatile option for expressing comparative fear. Just ensure you clearly define what you are comparing to avoid ambiguity.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
more frightening than
Replaces "scary" with "frightening", a more formal synonym, maintaining the comparison.
more terrifying than
Substitutes "scary" with "terrifying", emphasizing a greater degree of fear.
more intimidating than
Replaces "scary" with "intimidating", focusing on causing a feeling of being threatened.
more alarming than
Uses "alarming" instead of "scary", highlighting the cause of apprehension or concern.
more unsettling than
Employs "unsettling" to suggest a disturbance in one's peace of mind, rather than direct fear.
more chilling than
Replaces "scary" with "chilling", implying a cold, creeping sense of fear.
more unnerving than
Uses "unnerving" to describe something that makes one feel anxious or uneasy.
causes greater fear than
Changes the structure to focus on causing fear, rather than simply being scary.
induces more dread than
Replaces "scary" with "dread" and restructures the sentence to emphasize the feeling of intense apprehension.
presents a greater threat than
Focuses on the threatening nature of something, rather than its ability to scare.
FAQs
What's a good synonym for "more scary than"?
Alternatives include "more frightening than", "more terrifying than", or "more intimidating than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
How can I use "more scary than" in a sentence?
You can use "more scary than" to compare the level of fear induced by two different things. For example, "The roller coaster was "more scary than" the haunted house."
Is it always necessary to use "more scary than," or is "scarier than" acceptable?
While "more scary than" is grammatically correct, "scarier than" is often preferred for its brevity and directness. Both are acceptable, but "scarier than" is generally considered more common in informal contexts.
What makes something "more scary than" something else?
Factors that can make something "more scary than" another include the element of surprise, the perceived level of danger, the psychological impact, and personal vulnerabilities.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested