to be scared about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be scared about" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "to be scared of" or "to be afraid of." Example: "She tends to be scared of spiders."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

There's nothing to be scared about".

The New Yorker

Is an anti-Islamist party something to be scared about?

The Guardian - Opinion

"But Shafal wasn't scared because he had nothing to be scared about".

The New York Times

That's a lot to be scared about, and a lot at stake.

BBC

There's loads to be scared about: murder, illness, pain, war, pollution, getting sacked, and fear itself.

Vice

"It came off as if there are a lot of things to be scared about," said Baretto.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Its not that climate change isn't something to be scared about--Klein's analysis is grounded in fact.

Vice

"If you want to be scared, how about that untreated AIDS of yours?" We looked at each other.

The New York Times

Facebook isn't supposed to be scared, ever, about anything.

TechCrunch

Of 2,000 adults surveyed, 70% said they would be scared about going to a home.

BBC

Don't be scared about having braces.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In informal contexts, recognize that "to be scared about" might be understood, but prefer the other version.

Common error

A common mistake is using the preposition "about" with "scared". Always use "of" after "scared" to maintain grammatical accuracy, like in the sentence "She's scared of spiders."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be scared about" functions as a predicate adjective describing a state of fear or apprehension. However, it's worth noting that Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as incorrect, suggesting the correct alternative is "to be scared of."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to be scared about" is relatively common and can be found across diverse online sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "to be scared of". Although "to be scared about" may be acceptable in informal conversations or certain media, it is best to use "to be afraid of" or "to be worried about" in professional, academic, or formal writing. Remember that clarity and grammatical accuracy enhance your message's credibility. While prevalent, recognize it's more sound to use the alternatives "to be afraid of" or "to be worried about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To be afraid of

Uses "afraid" instead of "scared", which is a more formal and grammatically correct alternative with similar meaning.

To be frightened of

Replaces "scared" with "frightened", offering a slightly stronger sense of fear while maintaining grammatical correctness.

To be worried about

Shifts the focus slightly from fear to concern or anxiety, providing a milder alternative.

To feel anxious about

Emphasizes the anxiousness or unease associated with a situation rather than direct fear.

To be concerned about

Emphasizes a general feeling of unease or worry, rather than a strong sense of fear.

To have fears concerning

Adopts a more formal tone, highlighting the concerns related to a specific topic.

To have apprehensions about

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary to convey feelings of unease or worry.

To dread the thought of

Focuses on the anticipation of something negative, rather than a current state of fear.

To have misgivings about

Conveys a sense of doubt or uncertainty, related to potential negative outcomes.

To tremble at the idea of

Uses strong imagery to convey intense fear or anxiety about something.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "to be scared about"?

No, the grammatically correct phrasing is "to be "to be afraid of"" or "to be "to be scared of"". "To be scared about" is generally considered incorrect in standard English.

What's the difference between "to be scared of" and "to be worried about"?

"To be "to be scared of"" implies a stronger sense of fear or fright, while "to be "to be worried about"" suggests a milder form of concern or anxiety. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

Can I use "to be scared about" in informal conversation?

While "to be scared about" might be understood in casual conversation, it's best to use the correct phrases, such as "to be "to be afraid of"" or "to be "to be scared of"", even in informal settings to promote clear and accurate communication.

What are some alternatives to "to be scared about" that I can use in writing?

You can use phrases like "to be "to be afraid of"", "to be "to be frightened of"", "to feel "to feel anxious about"", or "to be "to be concerned about"" depending on the context and the specific emotion you want to express.