they were fearful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were fearful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of fear experienced by a group of people. Example: "As the storm approached, they were fearful of the potential damage it could cause to their homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Younger children had no concept of fear, whereas secondary school aged children described how fear of fractures would hold them back from undertaking some activities, they were fearful of busy or dangerous areas and some reported needle phobia.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

They were fearful.

The Guardian

They said they were fearful of retribution.

The New York Times

But many said they were fearful and felt intimidated.

The New York Times

Others said they could not participate because they were fearful of ridicule or reprimand.

The New York Times

He said that he wished more principals would adopt the program but that they were fearful.

The New York Times

They were fearful of what Constance in chambers would mean for them".

The Guardian - Books

"They were fearful, I'm sure, of litigation, though nobody spoke about that," Dr. Boxer said.

The New York Times - Health

The plaintiffs claim they were fearful of these officers because they suspected some were employed to spy on workers.

The Guardian

Then, they were fearful of the future: droughts were increasing in severity and their cattle were dying.

The Guardian

Despite later insisting they were fearful for their lives, they chose to pursue McDade into a darkened alleyway.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the fear you want to convey. Synonyms like "terrified" or "anxious" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

Common error

While "they were fearful" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the tone sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise and nuanced vocabulary to convey the specific type and intensity of fear, for example, use phrases like "they were apprehensive" or "they felt trepidation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were fearful" functions as a descriptive statement. It indicates a state of being for a group, expressing that they experienced fear. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

31%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were fearful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a group's state of fear. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears commonly in various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, writers should consider the specific context and desired level of formality when selecting it. For heightened formality or precision, synonyms like "they were apprehensive" or "they felt trepidation" may be more appropriate. The analysis underscores the importance of clarity, context awareness, and nuanced word choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they felt afraid

Changes the verb and adjective, using "felt" instead of "were" and "afraid" instead of "fearful", maintaining the core meaning.

they were apprehensive

Replaces "fearful" with "apprehensive", suggesting a more anticipatory anxiety.

they were anxious

Substitutes "fearful" with "anxious", implying worry and unease.

they were scared

Replaces "fearful" with "scared", offering a more informal synonym.

fear gripped them

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the feeling of fear.

they were in terror

Substitutes "fearful" with "in terror", indicating a higher intensity of fear.

they dreaded the prospect

Focuses on anticipating something with fear.

they felt intimidated

Highlights the feeling of being threatened and consequently fearful.

they were filled with trepidation

Uses a more formal and intense expression of fear and anxiety.

they had foreboding

Expresses a feeling that something bad is going to happen, causing fear.

FAQs

How can I use "they were fearful" in a sentence?

You can use "they were fearful" to describe a group of people experiencing fear. For example, "As the storm approached, "they were fearful" of the potential damage."

What are some alternatives to "they were fearful"?

Some alternatives include "they were afraid", "they were anxious", or "they were apprehensive", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "they were fearful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were fearful" is grammatically correct. It uses the correct subject-verb agreement and adjective to describe a state of being.

What is the difference between "they were fearful" and "they were terrified"?

While both phrases express fear, "they were terrified" ("they were terrified") suggests a much stronger and more intense level of fear than "they were fearful".