supposed to be scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to be scared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expectations regarding fear or anxiety in a particular situation. Example: "In horror movies, the audience is supposed to be scared by the suspenseful music and sudden scares."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"When you make a horror or a thriller you say: 'You're supposed to be scared here.

Independent

Public sector workers, in particular, are supposed to be scared into malleability.

The Guardian

But in the past no one knew they were supposed to be scared while they lived in their house.

The New York Times

I can't remember if I'm supposed to be scared of her so Democrats will think they should nominate her when she's actually easy to beat, or if I'm supposed to be scared of her because she's legitimately scary.

The New York Times

My mum would start crying if she saw one, so I thought you were supposed to be scared of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of course, the person you're supposed to be scared of by the denouement is this new "dark Doctor" So let's get to this next.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Wait, the Nets were supposed to be scaring the bejeebers out of the Knicks' brass this season, right?

The New York Times - Sports

But Jude Fawley, who talks to the crows he is supposed to be scaring away, is a modern English boy, with his eye on Christminster (Oxford).

The Guardian - Books

The odd thing is she isn't really ugly, but like the other shadow figures, you are suppose to be scared of her.

Vice

There wasn't supposed to be scare in this one.

The Guardian - Sport

We were supposed to be really scared, so we weren't actors (all of us are formally trained).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to be scared", ensure the context clearly establishes who is expected to feel fear and why. For example: "In a haunted house, you are "supposed to be scared", but some people find it more funny than frightening."

Common error

Avoid vague references when using "supposed to be scared". Clearly identify the source of the fear to prevent misinterpretation. For example, instead of saying "People are "supposed to be scared"", be specific: "Viewers are "supposed to be scared" of the monster in the movie."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be scared" functions as a modal phrase indicating an expectation or obligation to experience fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Examples show its application in contexts where fear is the intended or expected reaction, such as in horror movies or haunted houses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supposed to be scared" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express an expectation or obligation to feel fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its usage across diverse contexts. While the phrase is broadly applicable, clarity in specifying the source of fear is crucial for effective communication. Semantically similar alternatives include "meant to be afraid" and "expected to be fearful", offering subtle variations in emphasis. Mastering the use of "supposed to be scared" and its alternatives can enhance precision and impact in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be afraid

Replaces "scared" with "afraid", emphasizing the intended emotion.

expected to be fearful

Substitutes "scared" with "fearful" and "supposed" with "expected", highlighting anticipation of fear.

should be frightened

Uses "frightened" instead of "scared", suggesting a more intense level of fear; replaces "supposed to" with "should be", implying obligation.

ought to be terrified

Replaces "scared" with "terrified", conveying a greater degree of fear and substituting "supposed to" with "ought to", indicating moral obligation or correctness.

predisposed to be alarmed

Changes "scared" to "alarmed", indicating a sense of sudden fear; changes "supposed to be" to "predisposed to be", emphasizing tendency.

likely to be scared

Uses "likely to be" instead of "supposed to be", focusing on probability rather than expectation.

anticipated to be frightened

Replaces "supposed to" with "anticipated to" focusing on a predictive and emotional expectation.

assumed to be afraid

Replaces "supposed to be" with "assumed to be", focusing on an underlying assumption or belief.

intended to be frightened

Replaces "supposed to be" with "intended to be", stressing the intent or purpose behind the emotion.

set up to be scared

Replaces "supposed to be" with "set up to be", implying manipulation to induce fear.

FAQs

How can I use "supposed to be scared" in a sentence?

You can use "supposed to be scared" to describe an expected emotional response. For example, "The audience is "supposed to be scared" during horror movies".

What are some alternative phrases to "supposed to be scared"?

Alternatives include "meant to be afraid", "expected to be fearful", or "should be frightened", depending on the context.

Is "supposed to be scared" grammatically correct?

Yes, "supposed to be scared" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate an expected emotional state.

What's the difference between "supposed to be scared" and "likely to be scared"?

"Supposed to be scared" implies an expectation or convention, while "likely to be scared" suggests a probability based on circumstances.