they were scared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were scared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of fear experienced by a group of people in various contexts, such as storytelling or reporting emotions. Example: "As the thunderstorm raged outside, they were scared and huddled together for comfort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were scared.

The New York Times

Also, they were scared.

The New York Times

They were scared for him.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"But they were scared.

The New York Times

"Before, they were scared".

The New York Times

Many said they were scared.

The Washington Post

"It may be because they were scared".

The New York Times - Sports

"You could tell they were scared.

The New York Times

I knew that they were scared.

The New Yorker

They were scared of the crowd".

The New Yorker

"They were scared," the cleric said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group's fear, consider using vivid verbs and adjectives to enhance the emotional impact, such as "they were paralyzed with fear" instead of simply "they were scared".

Common error

While "scared" is a common and acceptable term, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "afraid", "frightened", or more descriptive phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were scared" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the emotional state of a group of individuals. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" followed by an adjective, serving to attribute a feeling of fear to the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were scared" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a group's experience of fear. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. To enhance your writing, consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "they felt afraid" or "they were frightened". Be mindful of overusing the phrase, and choose words that accurately reflect the intensity and nature of the fear experienced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they felt afraid

Replaces "scared" with "afraid", a direct synonym, slightly more formal.

they were frightened

Uses "frightened" instead of "scared", another synonym implying a sudden, intense fear.

they were terrified

Emphasizes a higher degree of fear using "terrified".

they were petrified

Implies extreme fear, to the point of being unable to move or act.

fear gripped them

More figurative, emphasizing the intensity of the fear's hold on the group.

they were alarmed

Suggests a sudden and acute sense of fear in response to immediate danger.

they were anxious

Shifts the focus to anxiety, implying worry and unease alongside fear.

they were apprehensive

Highlights a feeling of unease and anticipation of something bad happening.

they were in a panic

Indicates a state of overwhelming fear and loss of control.

they trembled with fear

More descriptive, showing a physical manifestation of their fear.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they were scared"?

You can use alternatives like "they felt afraid", "they were frightened", or "fear gripped them" depending on the context.

How to use "they were scared" in a sentence?

Use "they were scared" to describe a group of people experiencing fear. For example, "As the storm approached, they were scared and sought shelter."

What's the difference between "they were scared" and "they were terrified"?

"They were scared" indicates a general state of fear, while "they were terrified" implies a much stronger, more intense level of fear. The latter suggests a more overwhelming emotional response.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were scared"?

Yes, "they were scared" is grammatically correct. "They" is a plural pronoun, "were" is the past tense of the verb "to be", and "scared" is an adjective describing their state of being.