scare each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scare each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where two or more individuals frighten or startle one another, often in a playful or lighthearted manner. Example: "During Halloween, we like to scare each other with ghost stories and jump scares."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"We just like to scare each other," Mr. Emery said.

The New York Times - Health

"Other times they would smear ashes on their faces to scare each other".

The Guardian

The M25 seemed like a weird, dystopian story we told to scare each other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Talking about a Perry candidacy, we were like two teenage girls sitting around a campfire trying to scare each other to death.

The New York Times

"This is no different than any other industry where the parties scare each other with lawsuits," said Gabe Feldman, the director of the sports law program at Tulane University Law School.

The New York Times - Sports

He goes inside, and overhears several teenagers gathered in the basement trying to scare each other with the story of Bletcher's murder.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

For centuries, across geographies, religions, and cultures, people try to innovate ways of scaring each other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This confidence allowed the two superpowers to survive the balance of terror without scaring each other into a war that neither dared to initiate.

The New York Times - Books

My kids and I like to play practical jokes on each other and recently, my youngest and I have been taking turns scaring each other at home.

Forbes

And, as I couldn't see his face in the dark and he couldn't see mine, if we ever pass in the hall sometime in the days to come, we'll never know how much we truly scared each other.

Huffington Post

It's time we thawed this romantic Cold War – the biggest con the scare media ever pulled was to make us scared of each other.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scare each other" when describing situations where individuals intentionally or unintentionally frighten one another, often in a playful or non-serious context. For example, "The children loved to "scare each other" with spooky stories during sleepovers".

Common error

Avoid using "scare each other" in formal or professional settings. Opt for more appropriate alternatives like "frighten one another" or "intimidate one another" to maintain a professional tone. For example, instead of saying "The companies "scare each other" with lawsuits", use "The companies "intimidate one another" with lawsuits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scare each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating a mutual action of frightening or startling. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood. Examples from news articles and general web content demonstrate its versatility in describing both playful and serious scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scare each other" is a common and grammatically correct reciprocal phrase used to describe a mutual action of frightening or startling. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. While generally suitable for neutral to informal contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "frighten one another" or "intimidate one another". The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki content, highlighting its broad applicability in describing both playful and serious scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Frighten one another

A more formal alternative that focuses on causing fear.

Startle each other

Implies a sudden, brief shock rather than sustained fear.

Give each other a fright

An idiomatic expression conveying a sudden scare.

Terrify one another

Emphasizes a greater degree of fear than "scare".

Spook each other

An informal alternative, often used in a playful context.

Intimidate one another

Suggests using fear to control or influence.

Make each other jump

Focuses on the physical reaction to being scared.

Alarm one another

Implies a sense of danger or warning.

Unnerve each other

Suggests causing a loss of composure or confidence.

Send shivers down each other's spines

A more figurative way of describing the feeling of being scared.

FAQs

How can I use "scare each other" in a sentence?

You can use "scare each other" to describe situations where people are frightening one another, often playfully. For example, "During Halloween, the kids like to "scare each other" with spooky costumes and stories".

What are some alternatives to "scare each other"?

Some alternatives include "frighten one another", "startle each other", or "intimidate one another" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "scare each other" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "scare each other" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise or elevated vocabulary like "frighten one another" or "intimidate one another".

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

"Scare each other" is more commonly used in everyday language and implies a less intense form of fear. "Frighten each other", is a more formal way to express causing fear to one another.