this is very scary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is very scary" 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 very scary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This is very scary," said Sarmad Hussain, a PIA employee.

The Guardian

This is very scary but also makes it very interesting.

The New Yorker

"She's a comfort because this is very scary," said Mrs. Francese, a radio announcer.

The New York Times

"This is very scary," said Max Manwaring, a professor of military strategy at the United States Army War College.

The New York Times

"This is very scary and very disturbing," said Mio Shirakawa, a 20-year-old college student who came with a friend to take a picture of the scorched telephone club.

The New York Times

She had a big cupboard full of music and would start pulling pieces out, saying: "This is very good for chase sequences, this is very scary music, this is for a love scene and this is for Roman orgies".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And that is very scary.

Huffington Post

"This drug is very scary," said Cori Crider, the legal director of Reprieve, a London-based group that represents more than a dozen detainees.

The New York Times

This ride is very scary but once you have ridden it, you feel very accomplished and you can brag to all of your friends that, "You rode the tallest and fastest roller coaster on Earth!".

WikiHow

(Malaysia, Indian, 60 years, T4, S4) This kind of illness is very scary.

BMJ Open

"For a hospital to undertake this when A.C.A. is uncertain is very scary," Dr. Nelson said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is very scary", ensure the context clearly establishes what "this" refers to. Provide specific details to amplify the feeling of fear or anxiety for a greater effect.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "very" can weaken your writing. Consider stronger adjectives like "terrifying", "alarming", or "horrifying" to directly convey the intensity of the fear without relying on adverbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is very scary" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a subjective feeling of fear or anxiety in response to a particular situation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is very scary" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a feeling of fear or anxiety. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules and is suitable for expressing concern or unease in various situations. While less intense than alternatives like "this is terrifying", its usage spans across news, media, wiki entries, and scientific publications with neutral formality. Keep in mind that specific details will amplify the emotional weight when using this expression in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is quite frightening

Substitutes "scary" with "frightening" and "very" with "quite", offering a slightly less intense expression of fear.

this is really terrifying

Replaces "very scary" with "really terrifying", intensifying the feeling of fear.

this is extremely alarming

Changes "scary" to "alarming" and "very" to "extremely", shifting the focus to the alarming nature of the situation.

this is utterly terrifying

Emphasizes the terror by using "utterly" to intensify the adjective.

this is incredibly daunting

Replaces "scary" with "daunting", focusing on the intimidating aspect of the situation.

it fills me with dread

Expresses a sense of dread, shifting the focus from the situation to the speaker's feelings.

I find this terrifying

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the speaker's feeling of terror.

this gives me the creeps

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression to indicate unease and fear.

this makes me anxious

Focuses on the anxiety caused by the situation, rather than directly expressing fear.

this is unsettling

Conveys a feeling of unease and disturbance, rather than explicit fear.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "this is very scary"?

You can use alternatives like "this is quite frightening", "this is really terrifying", or "this is extremely alarming" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this is very scary"?

Yes, the phrase "this is very scary" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express fear or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms this.

In what situations can I use the phrase "this is very scary"?

You can use "this is very scary" in situations where you want to express that something is causing you fear or anxiety, such as watching a horror movie, facing a difficult challenge, or learning about a concerning event.

What is the difference between "this is very scary" and "this is terrifying"?

While both phrases express fear, "this is terrifying" is generally considered a stronger and more intense expression than "this is very scary". The latter is a milder expression.