really scared

USAGE SUMMARY

"really scared" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety. Example: "I was really scared when I heard a loud noise coming from the basement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Really scared.

The New Yorker

I'm really, really scared.

The New Yorker

It really scared me".

The New York Times

We are really scared".

The New York Times

"Initially, I was really scared.

University of California, Berkeley

They look really scared.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's really scared us.

The Guardian - Tech

Mark was really scared.

The New York Times

"I felt really scared.

The Guardian - Business

He really scared me.

The Guardian

People are really scared.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal or academic writing, consider replacing the adverb-adjective pair with a stronger single verb or adjective like "terrified" or "petrified".

Common error

Avoid using "really scared" in highly technical reports where precision is required. Instead of a general sense of fear, specify the type of concern using terms like "vulnerable" or "at risk".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really scared" functions as an adjective phrase where the intensifier "really" modifies the past participle "scared" acting as an adjective. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically appears as a subject complement following linking verbs like "was", "felt" or "seemed".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Informal & Personal Narratives

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference Materials

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "really scared" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to convey a significant level of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across elite publications, especially when capturing the authentic voices of individuals in high-stakes situations. While it is a staple of journalistic and narrative writing, authors should be mindful of the context; in very formal or scientific settings, more precise or singular adjectives like "terrified" or "apprehensive" might be preferred. Overall, it remains one of the most natural ways to express fear in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

really terrified

Increases the intensity of the fear described.

absolutely petrified

A more dramatic and hyperbolic way to express being unable to move from fear.

genuinely afraid

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the sincerity of the emotion.

truly frightened

Uses a more literary adjective that is often interchangeable in narrative contexts.

panic-stricken

Describes a specific state of overwhelming and uncontrollable fear.

shaking with fear

A vivid, descriptive phrase that shows rather than just tells the emotion.

deeply alarmed

More formal and often used in a professional or civic context.

extremely apprehensive

Focuses on a sense of dread or worry about the future rather than immediate terror.

quite spooked

Much more informal and often used for mild or sudden frights.

very anxious

Shifts the focus from fear to a generalized state of worry.

FAQs

How to use "really scared" in a sentence?

You can use "really scared" as a predicate adjective to describe a subject's state, such as "I was "really scared" during the storm" or "The news made me "really scared" for the future".

What can I say instead of "really scared"?

Depending on the intensity, you could use phrases like "terrified", "very afraid", or "genuinely frightened" to vary your vocabulary.

Which is correct, "really scared" or "very scared"?

Both are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. While "very scared" might feel slightly more formal to some, "really scared" is more common in spoken English and modern journalism.

What is the difference between "really scared" and "terrified"?

The main difference is intensity; "terrified" implies a much higher level of fear than "really scared", which is more general.