she was afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was afraid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's feelings of fear or anxiety in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the storm raged outside, she was afraid of what might happen next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"She was afraid.

The New Yorker

She was afraid, too.

The New Yorker

She was afraid to eat.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was afraid to fly.

The New York Times

She was afraid, paranoid.

The New York Times

She was afraid of him.

The Guardian

You would?" But suddenly she was afraid.

The New Yorker

She was afraid to leave her porch.

The New York Times - Sports

She was afraid to tell her mother.

The New York Times - Health

She said she was afraid of them.

The New York Times

She was afraid the phone was tapped.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, provide specific details about the source of their fear to enhance the reader's understanding and engagement. For example, instead of just saying "she was afraid", specify "she was afraid of the dark after hearing the strange noises outside".

Common error

Avoid starting too many consecutive sentences with "she was afraid". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader interest and avoid monotony. For example, use "fear gripped her" or "she felt a sense of dread".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was afraid" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It attributes the adjective "afraid" to the subject "she", indicating her emotional state. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a common way to express fear or anxiety in a narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was afraid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a female subject experiencing fear or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. The expression is most commonly found in news and media sources, serving to convey characters' emotions and motivations. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "she was scared" or "she felt fear" to maintain reader engagement. When employing this phrase, it is best practice to provide context about the source of the character's fear to enhance the narrative. This comprehensive analysis offers guidance for effective and nuanced use of "she was afraid" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she felt fear

Replaces "was afraid" with a more direct expression of feeling fear, suitable for emphasizing the emotional state.

she was scared

Uses a synonym for "afraid", offering a slightly less formal tone.

she was frightened

Emphasizes a sudden or intense fear, suggesting a startling experience.

she was apprehensive

Indicates anxiety or unease about a future event, adding a layer of anticipation.

fear gripped her

A more dramatic way to express intense fear, focusing on the overpowering nature of the emotion.

she was in terror

Conveys a state of extreme fear, emphasizing a sense of helplessness.

she panicked

Focuses on the behavioral response to fear, highlighting a loss of control.

she dreaded it

Highlights anticipation of something negative, emphasizing aversion.

she worried about it

Shifts focus to concern and anxiety, reducing the intensity of fear.

she had concerns

Presents fear as underlying concerns, offering a more subtle expression of unease.

FAQs

How can I use "she was afraid" in a sentence?

The phrase "she was afraid" is used to describe a female subject experiencing fear. For example, "She was afraid to walk home alone at night" or "She was afraid that she would fail the exam".

What are some alternatives to "she was afraid"?

You can use alternatives like "she felt fear", "she was scared", or "she was frightened" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "she was afraid"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "She" is a subject pronoun, "was" is a form of the verb "to be", and "afraid" is an adjective describing her state.

What's the difference between "she was afraid" and "she felt afraid"?

While both phrases are similar, "she felt afraid" emphasizes the sensory experience of fear, while "she was afraid" states a more general condition. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the feeling itself or the overall state of being.