she was terrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was terrified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's emotional state, particularly in situations of fear or anxiety. Example: "As the thunderstorm raged outside, she was terrified and couldn't sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And she was terrified.

The New York Times

No doubt she was terrified.

The New Yorker

She was terrified Allie wouldn't remember her.

The New York Times

She was terrified of being kidnapped again.

The New York Times

She was terrified, helpless and alone".

The Guardian

She was terrified of the dark.

The New York Times

On her first night, she was terrified.

The Guardian

And she was terrified at first.

The New York Times - Arts

She was terrified before going onstage.

The New Yorker

Mr Wallen added: "She was terrified for her safety.

Independent

It was elevated, she says, and she was terrified.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure that "she was terrified" accurately reflects the intensity of the character's feelings. If a milder emotion is more appropriate, consider alternatives like "she was anxious" or "she was fearful".

Common error

Avoid excessive use of adverbs like 'very' or 'really' with "she was terrified". While they can emphasize the emotion, overuse can weaken the impact. Instead, focus on descriptive details to illustrate the character's fear, such as trembling hands or a racing heart.

Linguistic Context

"She was terrified" functions as a descriptive phrase, characterizing the subject's emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It predicates a state of intense fear, providing insight into the subject's experience in a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was terrified" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express intense fear, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its presence is notably frequent in "News & Media". While it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, its communicative purpose centers on eliciting empathy by highlighting emotional impact. When employing this phrase, consider descriptive details to enhance the sense of fear. Explore alternatives such as "she was frightened" or "she was petrified" for nuanced expression. Avoiding overused intensifiers ensures a stronger impact, allowing the inherent power of "she was terrified" to resonate effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was fearful

A direct synonym, expressing a state of being afraid.

she was frightened

Another direct synonym, closely related to "terrified" in meaning.

she was petrified

Similar to "terrified" but often implies a stronger, more overwhelming fear.

she was scared stiff

Emphasizes the intensity of fear, suggesting a temporary paralysis.

she was filled with dread

Focuses on the anticipation of something terrible happening.

she was horrified

Suggests a feeling of intense shock and disgust, often accompanied by fear.

she was in a state of panic

Highlights the uncontrolled and overwhelming nature of the fear.

she was alarmed

Indicates a sudden feeling of fear or concern.

she was anxious

Describes a general state of worry and unease, less intense than "terrified".

she was apprehensive

Implies a feeling of uncertainty and worry about the future.

FAQs

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

"She was terrified" is used to describe a state of intense fear. For example, "She was terrified of the dark" or "She was terrified when she heard the news".

What are some alternatives to "she was terrified"?

Alternatives include "she was frightened", "she was scared", "she was fearful", or "she was petrified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "she was terrified" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-adjective structure.

What's the difference between "she was scared" and "she was terrified"?

While both describe fear, "she was terrified" suggests a higher degree of fear than "she was scared". "Terrified" implies a more intense and overwhelming experience of fear.