scare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to causing fear or anxiety in someone or something. Example: "The sudden loud noise was enough to scare the children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some used the old white supremacist scare tactic of waving Confederate battle flags in front of the home of a black family – in this case, the White House.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fremantle overcame a late scare to beat Sydney by 14 points in their Anzac Day AFL clash at Domain Stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

Clarkson has since said in his column in the Sunday Times that he had suffered a cancer scare two days before the incident.

The Guardian

The president of Sierra Leone will launch a massive campaign on Wednesday to curb the spread of Ebola in the western areas of the capital Freetown, which will aim to scare people into changing their behaviour.

The Guardian

This time last year they were challenging for promotion under Rösler (they eventually finished fifth) and were about to inflict FA Cup defeat on Manchester City for the second season in a row and give Arsenal a scare in the Wembley semi-final.

The Guardian - Sport

The next ones were less benign, driving through a rainstorm on the M11 in a deliberate, and not entirely unsuccessful, attempt to scare me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clinton, who retired earlier this year as secretary of state, has not yet said whether she intends to run in 2016 but all the signs indicate that she will, barring an unforeseen event such as a health scare.

The Guardian

Sources told the Guardian in the summer that the FSA had come under pressure from DH, Defra and the No 10 communications team, who were worried that naming retailers over campylobacter could create a food scare on a par with the salmonella panic in 1988.

The Guardian

"I'll be voting Ukip next year – not because I want them in government but because I want to scare the government".

The Guardian

Simon: You see a lot of scare stories about teachers being replaced by robots but I don't think that's all that likely.

The Guardian

It should by now be perfectly obvious to everyone that the Tory party is using the deficit scare as the justification for a rightwing agenda that involves shrinking the state at the expense of the most vulnerable in society.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "frighten", "terrify", or "intimidate" to add nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

While "scare" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound informal, especially in academic or business writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "cause concern" or "raise alarm" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scare" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (e.g., "to scare someone"). It can also function as a noun, referring to a feeling of fright or a cause of fright. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scare" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and a noun, widely employed to express causing or experiencing fear. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples from sources like The Guardian and BBC, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider more formal alternatives for academic or business settings. Remember to be precise in your sentence structure when using "scare" to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frighten

A direct synonym, implying a sudden and often brief feeling of fear.

terrify

Implies a more intense and prolonged feeling of fear than "scare".

intimidate

Suggests using fear to control or influence someone.

alarm

Indicates a feeling of worry or concern about a potential danger.

startle

Implies a sudden and unexpected surprise that causes a brief moment of fear.

make nervous

Suggests causing anxiety or unease.

raise concerns

Indicates bringing up potential problems or dangers that cause worry.

cause anxiety

Directly implies inducing a state of worry or fear.

put the wind up

An informal idiom meaning to frighten or unnerve someone.

send a shiver down someone's spine

An evocative expression indicating a feeling of fear or unease.

FAQs

How to use "scare" in a sentence?

You can use "scare" as a verb, meaning to frighten someone (e.g., "The loud noise scared the cat"), or as a noun, referring to a feeling of fright or a cause of fright (e.g., "He gave me a real scare").

What can I say instead of "scare"?

You can use alternatives like "frighten", "terrify", "alarm" or "intimidate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scare" or "scared"?

"Scare" is the base form of the verb. "Scared" is the past tense and past participle (e.g., "I was scared"). Use the correct form depending on the tense you want to convey.

What's the difference between "scare" and "frighten"?

While "frighten" is a close synonym, "scare" can sometimes imply a more sudden or minor fright. "Frighten" can also carry a slightly more formal tone.