this is terrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is terrifying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express fear or anxiety about a situation, event, or experience. Example: "As I watched the horror movie, I couldn't help but think, this is terrifying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

This is terrifying from the All Blacks.

The Guardian - Sport

"On one hand, this is terrifying.

The New York Times - Arts

As a replacement for existing politics, though, this is terrifying.

The New York Times

The price you are paying for this is terrifying.

The Guardian

His go-to facial expression is "holy Moses, this is terrifying".

The New York Times - Magazine

During practice, though, his Twitter messages grew increasingly desperate, including "this is terrifying".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

This was terrifying for me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clocks were ticking, but this was terrifying.

The New York Times - Style

This was terrifying for Red Sox fans in the abstract: What would we do when our team actually became successful?

Princeton University

This was terrifying and exhilarating and it wasn't happening anywhere else.

The Guardian

This, was terrifying.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is terrifying" to express a strong feeling of fear or dread in response to a specific situation or event. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the terror. For emphasis, you might follow the phrase with an explanation of why it's terrifying.

Common error

While "this is terrifying" effectively conveys fear, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "frightening", "alarming", or "horrifying" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is terrifying" functions as an expression of strong fear or anxiety. It's typically used to convey a personal reaction to a situation or event that induces terror. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is terrifying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express intense fear or dread. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and is commonly used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously and vary your language to avoid repetition. When communicating fear, make sure context is clear and that you are clearly explaining what exactly causes this feeling. Always make sure the situation and the language are aligned: in more formal contexts you may prefer something like "This is deeply concerning".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is frightening

Changes the intensity and focuses more on fear than terror.

this is horrifying

Highlights the shocking and morally offensive nature of something.

this is alarming

Focuses on the warning aspect of the situation, suggesting a need for attention.

this is petrifying

Emphasizes the immobilizing aspect of fear.

this is dreadful

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and negativity of the situation.

this is chilling

Emphasizes a cold, unsettling fear.

this is spine-chilling

Focuses on the physical sensation of fear.

this is unnerving

Highlights the feeling of unease and anxiety.

this is daunting

Highlights the overwhelming and discouraging nature of a task or situation.

this is scary

A more general and less intense expression of fear.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "this is terrifying"?

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

How do I use "this is terrifying" in a sentence?

Use "this is terrifying" to express a strong feeling of fear or dread. For example, "Watching the storm approach, I thought, this is terrifying." or "The prospect of losing my job, this is terrifying."

Is it appropriate to use "this is terrifying" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "this is terrifying" might be considered too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using a more formal alternative like "this is deeply concerning" or "this is profoundly alarming".

What's the difference between "this is terrifying" and "this is scary"?

"This is terrifying" expresses a more intense and overwhelming sense of fear than "this is scary". "Terrifying" implies a profound sense of dread, while "scary" is often used for milder forms of fear.