this is frightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is frightening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express fear or concern about a situation, event, or piece of information. Example: "After watching the news report about the storm, I realized this is frightening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For companies, this is frightening.

The Economist

This is frightening play.

The Guardian - Sport

"To me this is frightening.

The New York Times

This is frightening, but there are inklings of a growing and more organized resistance movement led by students, teachers and parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

Man, this is frightening.

Huffington Post

This is frightening.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I am not an idiot," she responded, "OK!" This is frightened SAYA.

Vice

The possible implications of this are frightening.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was frightening and exhausting; it was also exhilarating.

The Guardian

This was frightening for me because he did not understand that he had no choice.

The Guardian

This was not flirting... this was frightening.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when choosing "this is frightening". More formal situations might call for alternatives like "this is alarming".

Common error

While "this is frightening" is widely understood, it may come across as too informal or emotional in professional or academic writing. Opt for more objective alternatives like "this is concerning" or "this is alarming" to maintain a neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is frightening" serves as an expressive statement, conveying a speaker's or writer's sense of fear or alarm in response to a particular situation or piece of information. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is frightening" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey fear or alarm. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it may be more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider options like "this is alarming" or "this is scary" to match the desired tone and formality. The frequency of usage is common, predominantly in news and media contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussing concerning situations. The phrase effectiveness lies in its direct and clear communication of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is alarming

Focuses more on warning and potential danger.

this is scary

A more direct and common expression of fear.

this is terrifying

Conveys a stronger sense of fear and dread.

this is disturbing

Indicates something unsettling or causing anxiety.

this is unsettling

Highlights a feeling of unease and lack of comfort.

this is ominous

Suggests that something bad is going to happen.

this is dreadful

Expresses a sense of great fear or apprehension.

this is horrifying

Indicates extreme shock or disgust.

this is appalling

Highlights something shocking and morally wrong.

this is dreadful

Highlights something terrible.

FAQs

How can I use "this is frightening" in a sentence?

You can use "this is frightening" to express fear or concern about a situation, event, or piece of information. For example: "After watching the news report about the storm, I realized "this is frightening"".

What can I say instead of "this is frightening"?

You can use alternatives like "this is alarming", "this is scary", or "this is terrifying" depending on the context.

Is "this is frightening" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this is frightening" might be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "this is concerning" or "this is alarming" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "this is frightening" and "this is alarming"?

"This is frightening" expresses a direct sense of fear, whereas "this is alarming" tends to emphasize the potential danger or warning signs associated with the situation.