scare of

USAGE SUMMARY

No, 'scare of' is not a grammatically correct phrase.
The correct phrase is "scared of," which can be used in written English as a way to express fear or nervousness about something or someone. For example: - I am scared of heights. - She is always scared of trying new things. - He was scared of his strict teacher. - We were all scared of the dark when we were children.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That was Tech's only scare of the day.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees have averted a scare of a different sort.

The New York Times - Sports

The UK could have profited by a "red scare" of its own.

The Economist

Joseph Incognito had the scare of his life seven months ago.

The New York Times

Pettitte is past his elbow scare of a few weeks ago, and every starter is healthy.

The New York Times

The biggest food scare of this young century occurred in 2007 and 2008.

The New York Times - Science

"We saw a government get the scare of its life when it comes to health.

The Guardian

But it blew over like the population scare of the 70's.

The New York Times

Parts of White Noise are echoed in the anthrax scare of 2001, and so on.

The Guardian - Books

As it happens, the scare of the 1970s came in 1976, PolitiFact found.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This activity continued through the Red Scare of the period.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "scared of" instead of "scare of" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

While "scare of" might slip into informal speech, reserve it for casual contexts only. In professional or academic settings, stick with the grammatically correct "scared of" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scare of" functions as a grammatically incorrect construction intended to express fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI explains that the proper construction is "scared of". Although common, its non-standard usage can detract from formal communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "scare of" is frequently encountered, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI points out that the correct form is "scared of", which should be used in formal writing and speech. Although prevalent in informal contexts and across various online sources, including news and media, its non-standard usage may undermine clarity and credibility. For professional and academic settings, it's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "afraid of" or "fearful of" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afraid of

Uses an adjective to describe the state of being frightened, offering a more direct expression of fear.

frightened by

Emphasizes the cause of fear, shifting focus from a general feeling to a specific trigger.

fearful of

Suggests a sense of dread or apprehension about something, often future events.

terrified of

Conveys a higher degree of fear, indicating extreme fright or panic.

anxious about

Focuses on worry and unease, rather than outright fear, suitable when the concern is more psychological.

apprehensive about

Implies a feeling of anxiety or dread about something that is going to happen.

worried about

Highlights concern and anxiety, downplaying the element of stark fear.

concerned about

Indicates a level of worry or interest, often implying a sense of responsibility or care.

intimidated by

Highlights the feeling of being daunted or overwhelmed by someone or something.

uneasy about

Suggests a mild discomfort or apprehension, indicating a lack of peace of mind.

FAQs

How can I properly use "scare of" in a sentence?

While not grammatically correct, some people may use "scare of" colloquially. However, it's best to use "scared of" instead. For example, instead of saying "I have a scare of spiders", say "I am "scared of" spiders".

Is it ever acceptable to use "scare of" in writing?

In most formal and academic writing, it's not acceptable to use "scare of". It is grammatically incorrect. "Scared of" is the correct phrasing. It’s best to stick with correct grammar to maintain clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "scare of" and "scared of"?

"Scare of" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "scared of". For example, you would say "I am "scared of" heights", not "I have a scare of heights".

What are some alternatives to "scared of" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "afraid of", "frightened by", or "fearful of".