they were scared of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were scared of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express fear or apprehension about a person, situation, or thing. Example: "They were scared of the dark and refused to go outside at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were scared of the crowd".

The New Yorker

He said: "They were scared of my clothing.

Independent

They looked like they were scared of me".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were scared of it because it was about Ireland.

The Guardian

They were scared of our pass rush, I guess.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think they were scared of Seuss," Mr. Marshall said.

The New York Times

"They were scared of coming with me to the location of the incident," Mr. Mohamed said.

The New York Times

I decided to go into town and pay a visit to the guy they were scared of.

The New Yorker

They were scared of the "young thugs in Mafia sunglasses," Rose's cousin said, even before Rose's abduction.

The New York Times

"Some people told me they were scared of Iraqis," he said, "thinking that they are all terrorists.

The New Yorker

"We thought we could embarrass the university presidents and regents, but they were scared of the legislature".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were scared of", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity. This is especially useful in narratives or reports involving multiple actors.

Common error

Avoid using "they were scared of" when a milder term like "uneasy about" or "concerned about" better reflects the situation's emotional intensity. Using a too-strong term may create unintended exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were scared of" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating the emotional state of a group. It is commonly used to attribute fear to a subject concerning a specific object or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Huffington Post

2%

Unicef

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "they were scared of" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used phrase to describe the emotional state of fear experienced by a group or individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood in English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves the purpose of explaining motivations and reactions stemming from fear. While generally neutral in register, more formal settings might benefit from alternative phrasing to convey nuanced meanings. Always ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were frightened of

Direct synonym, replacing "scared" with "frightened" maintaining the same meaning.

they were terrified of

Emphasizes a higher degree of fear than the original phrase.

they dreaded

Focuses on anticipation of something unpleasant, implying fear of its consequences.

they were apprehensive about

Highlights anxiety or unease about a future event or situation.

they had a fear of

States the fear as a possession or condition.

they felt intimidated by

Shifts the focus to the feeling of being threatened or overawed.

they were anxious about

Similar to apprehensive but can also indicate concern about something that's already happening.

they cowered before

Implies a physical reaction of fear, suggesting weakness or submission.

they lived in fear of

Emphasizes the constant state of being afraid.

they were worried about

Indicates concern or anxiety, which may stem from fear.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were scared of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they were apprehensive about", "they felt anxiety regarding", or "they held a fear of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "they were scared of" and "they were afraid of"?

The phrases "they were scared of" and "they were afraid of" are largely synonymous and interchangeable in most contexts. However, "scared" may sometimes imply a more immediate or startled reaction, while "afraid" can suggest a more prolonged or underlying sense of fear.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "they were scared of"?

Avoid using "they were scared of" in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise or nuanced term might be required to accurately reflect the specific type and intensity of fear or concern.

What are some common things people are often "they were scared of"?

People are commonly "they were scared of" things like public speaking, heights, spiders, the dark, or failure. The specific object of fear depends greatly on individual experiences and predispositions.