scary of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scary of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "scared of," which is used to describe a feeling of fear or anxiety about something. Example: "She is scared of spiders and avoids them at all costs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

ALGORITHMS sound scary, of interest only to dome-headed mathematicians.

The Economist

For those of us who make a living typing, it's all very scary, of course.

The New York Times

It is scary, of course, to think that the mystery of our identities might be reducible to finite data sequences.

The New Yorker

But perhaps most scary of all is that some models of those vintage surgical instruments are still in use, having been only slightly modified from their ancestral form.

Britannica

It was easily the most difficult year of my life; 26th of May 2009 – I was 30, and pretty wary and scary of what else I could do.

The Guardian

"The ADF in many ways are the most scary of the forces because they are the only ones that have an ideology," a senior council envoy told Reuters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

There's a bunch of scary stuff, of course.

Huffington Post

"That was the scariest of all.

The Guardian - Music

The scariest of the new bugs will probably be viruses.

The New York Times

Scariest of all, I think they may have a point.

The New York Times

They're vain, confident, successful and, scariest of all, intelligent.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "afraid of", "scared of", or "frightened of" to correctly express fear or apprehension. For example, say "I am scared of spiders" instead of "I am scary of spiders".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "scary" with the preposition "of" to express fear. "Scary" describes something that causes fear, while "scared", "afraid", or "frightened" describe the feeling of fear itself. For instance, a horror movie is "scary", but a person is "scared" by it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scary of" is grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to express a state of being afraid, but it fails to adhere to standard English grammar rules. As Ludwig AI states, the correct expression would be to use "scared of", "afraid of", or "frightened of" instead.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scary of" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct expressions to convey fear or apprehension are "scared of", "afraid of", or "frightened of". The intended meaning of "scary of" is generally understood, but its use should be avoided in formal writing and speech. It's crucial to use the correct phrasing to ensure clear and effective communication. There are several alternatives, such as "afraid of", which accurately express the intended meaning. Using correct grammar enhances credibility and avoids potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afraid of

A common and direct synonym, indicating fear or apprehension.

frightened of

Similar to "afraid of", suggesting a state of being scared.

scared of

An interchangeable term with "afraid of", indicating a feeling of fear.

fearful of

A slightly more formal way to express being afraid.

anxious about

Focuses on the worry or unease associated with something.

apprehensive about

Implies a feeling of dread or foreboding.

worried about

Indicates concern or anxiety about a potential outcome.

uneasy about

Suggests a lack of comfort or peace of mind.

concerned about

Expresses a level of care and worry regarding something.

intimidated by

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed or threatened.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express fear using the word "scary"?

The correct way is to use "scared of", as in "I am "scared of" heights". The adjective "scary" describes something that causes fear, not the feeling itself.

What can I say instead of "scary of"?

You can use alternatives like "afraid of", "frightened of", or ""scared of"". These phrases correctly express the feeling of fear.

Is it grammatically correct to say "scary of"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "scared of", "afraid of", or "frightened of". Using "scary of" is a common error, but it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules.

What's the difference between "scary" and "scared"?

"Scary" is an adjective that describes something that causes fear (e.g., "That movie was scary"). "Scared" is an adjective that describes the feeling of fear (e.g., "I was "scared" during the movie").