quite terrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'quite terrified' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's feelings or emotions. For example: "I was quite terrified when I saw the huge spider on the wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"We're genuinely quite terrified all of the time".

The New York Times

From his rare interviews, he seems quite terrified.

The Guardian - Books

The geishas, who speak no English, are quite terrified.

The New York Times - Arts

Tarantino's frequent and enthusiastic tributes to Menke's editing have always been the exception".Today's quote:"We were absolutely out of our minds... We're genuinely quite terrified all of the time".~ Bartlett Sher, director of the new musical  "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", to a preview audience, in Patrick Healy's article "Musicals Born on Broadway Cause Jitters" (New York Times).

The Economist

I'm actually quite terrified.

Huffington Post

By now the audience had grown quite terrified.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It was quite terrifying.

The Guardian

For Chris, a musician, the idea of a problem with his hearing was quite terrifying.

Independent

"It is, frankly speaking, quite terrifying – a catalogue of appalling shoddiness," he writes.

The Guardian

Leaders who have no affection for logic, let alone fairness, are quite terrifying.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you first have a blast of living your life in the public eye, it can be quite terrifying.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite terrified" to express a significant but not overwhelming level of fear or anxiety. It suggests a noticeable emotional response without implying complete panic.

Common error

Avoid using "quite terrified" when describing situations that clearly warrant stronger terms like "horrified" or "panic-stricken". "Quite terrified" suggests a controlled, albeit significant, level of fear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite terrified" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective, intensifying the feeling of terror. It expresses a noticeable level of fear, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite terrified" is a grammatically correct way to express a significant level of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to describe someone's feelings or emotions, suggesting a noticeable level of fear without implying complete panic. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, with 10 examples found across different sources, it appears mainly in News & Media. Related phrases include "utterly frightened" and "genuinely scared", which can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context. When using "quite terrified", ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of fear experienced and avoid overstating or understating the situation. As Ludwig shows, this phrase helps to convey a controlled, albeit significant, level of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

really afraid

Emphasizes the reality of the fear, conveying the feeling of being affected by it.

genuinely scared

Highlights the authenticity of the fear, suggesting a real and sincere emotional response.

utterly frightened

Emphasizes a complete or extreme state of fear, implying a higher intensity than "quite terrified".

somewhat petrified

Indicates a state of being partially paralyzed by fear, suggesting a more immobilizing effect.

thoroughly alarmed

Focuses on the feeling of being alerted to danger, suggesting a more cautious and reactive fear.

fairly apprehensive

Conveys a sense of unease or anxiety about something that might happen, suggesting a more anticipatory fear.

deeply worried

Highlights the concern or distress someone feels, suggesting a more cognitive and less visceral fear.

rather intimidated

Highlights feeling small or threatened by something powerful, implying a fear based on perceived power dynamics.

pretty anxious

Indicates a state of worry or nervousness, suggesting a more generalized and less specific fear.

a little fearful

Suggests a mild level of fear, implying a less intense emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "quite terrified" in a sentence?

You can use "quite terrified" to describe someone's emotional state when they are experiencing a significant level of fear. For example: "She was "quite terrified" during the horror movie".

What are some alternatives to saying "quite terrified"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "genuinely scared", "utterly frightened", or "really afraid".

Is it more formal to say "quite terrified" or "very scared"?

"Quite terrified" is generally considered slightly more formal than "very scared", although both are widely acceptable in everyday conversation. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

What's the difference between "quite terrified" and "absolutely terrified"?

"Absolutely terrified" implies a higher level of fear than "quite terrified". "Absolutely terrified" suggests extreme panic, while "quite terrified" indicates a significant but somewhat more controlled level of fear.