scared of

USAGE SUMMARY

"scared of" is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to describe a feeling of fear or apprehension about something. For example, "I'm scared of going to the dentist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scared of Russkies.

Independent

Scared of the exposure?

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm scared of flies.

Independent

Scared of nasal fatigue?

The New York Times

I'm scared of retaliation.

The New York Times

"I'm scared of Sandy.

The New York Times

"Scared of 'em".

The New York Times

Scared of everything, everyone.

The New Yorker

Too scared of her.

The New Yorker

"Scared of being embarrassed.

Independent

I'm scared of labor.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scared of", clearly specify the object or situation causing the fear to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "scared of" with overly abstract nouns that lack specific, tangible referents. Instead of "scared of failure's concept", consider "scared of failing" for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scared of" functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject's state of being. According to Ludwig AI, it is a common way to express fear or apprehension. Examples in Ludwig show its use with various nouns and gerunds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scared of" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent occurrence in diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Academia. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective, clearly indicating the subject's emotional state. While alternatives like "terrified of" or "fearful of" exist, "scared of" maintains a neutral register suitable for most situations. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly identify the source of the fear for better clarity. Overall, it is a versatile and widely accepted expression in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frightened of

A synonym for "scared of", suggesting a similar level of fear.

fearful of

A formal synonym for "scared of", indicating a similar level of fear.

terrified of

Indicates a more intense level of fear than "scared of".

nervous about

Indicates mild anxiety or apprehension.

apprehensive about

Suggests a feeling of anxiety or unease about something that might happen.

anxious about

Focuses on worry and unease, rather than a direct fear response.

worried about

Implies concern and anxiety, often about potential negative outcomes.

uneasy about

Suggests a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

intimidated by

Implies a feeling of being threatened or overwhelmed by someone or something.

have a phobia of

Denotes a more serious fear, usually irrational and persistent.

FAQs

How to use "scared of" in a sentence?

Use "scared of" to express fear or apprehension towards a specific object, person, or situation. For example, "I'm "scared of heights"" or "She's "scared of spiders"".

What can I say instead of "scared of"?

You can use alternatives such as "frightened of", "terrified of", "fearful of", or "apprehensive about depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "I'm scared to do something" instead of "I'm scared of doing something"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I'm scared of doing something" is generally preferred when the 'something' is expressed as a gerund (verb ending in -ing). "I'm scared to do something" implies a slightly different nuance, often suggesting reluctance or hesitation.

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

"Afraid of" and "scared of" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. "Scared of" might be perceived as slightly more informal, while "afraid of" might sound a bit more formal, but the difference is minimal.