scared with

USAGE SUMMARY

"scared with" is not correct English.
The correct usage is "scared by." Example: He was scared by the loud noise coming from outside.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"To get scared with them".

The New Yorker

Now everyone is scared with little stability.

The Guardian

Ana was alone, and she was scared – with good reason.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cancer is really very dangerous and many people are scared with the name of it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I'm a bit more scared with the current philosophy on places like Iran.

The New Yorker

"Funder is scary because I am scared with funder," Sonya reasoned.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Non-lethal techniques such as scaring with visual or auditory devices have only a temporary effect in any case.

Wikipedia

You don't necessarily have to be mean to people, just have to scare with your looks.

WikiHow

The promise of Peele's scares-with-a-message was more than enough to deliver "Us" the No. 1 spot.

The New York Times

She scared Olivier "with my evident madness".

The New Yorker

One woman scared children with her snake.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "scared with" in formal writing. Use "scared by" instead to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

The preposition "with" typically indicates accompaniment or association, not causation. When indicating what causes fear, use "by" (e.g., "scared by the noise") or "of" (e.g., "fearful of the consequences") to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scared with" functions as an adjective phrase, attempting to describe a state of being frightened in relation to something else. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically incorrect and the correct usage should be "scared by".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "scared with" appears frequently across various sources, including news media and online forums, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, the correct usage to express causation is "scared by". Therefore, it's advisable to use alternatives like "afraid of" or "frightened by" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity, especially in formal or professional contexts. Despite its common usage, sticking to grammatically sound alternatives will enhance the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Scared by

Replaces "with" with the correct preposition "by", indicating the cause of fear.

Afraid of

Focuses on the object or situation causing the fear, rather than a shared experience.

Frightened by

Emphasizes the suddenness or intensity of the fear response.

Fearful of

A more formal way of expressing being afraid, often used in serious contexts.

Intimidated by

Implies a feeling of being threatened or overpowered.

Terrified of

Emphasizes the extreme intensity of the fear.

Anxious about

Highlights the worry and unease associated with a particular situation.

Apprehensive about

Suggests a feeling of nervousness or dread about something in the future.

Worried about

Focuses on concern and anxiety rather than outright fear.

Uneasy about

Implies a subtle feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express the cause of fear?

Instead of saying "scared with", use "scared by" to indicate the cause of the fear. For example, "He was scared by the thunder."

Are there alternatives to "scared with" that are grammatically correct?

Yes, alternatives include "afraid of", "frightened by", or "terrified of", depending on the context and intensity of the fear.

Is "scared with" considered grammatically correct in any context?

No, "scared with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct preposition to use is "by" to indicate the cause of fear.

How can I avoid using "scared with" in my writing?

Focus on identifying the cause of the fear and use the correct preposition. For example, instead of "I'm scared with the dark", say "I'm "afraid of the dark"" or "I'm "scared by the dark"".