we felt afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we felt afraid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of fear or anxiety experienced by a group of people in a specific situation. Example: "As the storm approached, we felt afraid of what might happen next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We felt afraid.

The New Yorker

We felt afraid and scared [when we tested positive].

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We feel afraid.

The Guardian

Higginson's response: "We feel afraid to try any experiments.

The New York Times - Arts

We feel afraid," said Yesmaidfa, a mother in Maruwei.

The Guardian

In other words, feelings do not cause bodily symptoms but are caused by them: we do not tremble because we feel afraid; we feel afraid because we tremble.

The New York Times - Books

If we feel afraid and innefectual, there is little motivation to act.

The Guardian

The actual victims are taken at random, a representative sample of the targeted group; we feel afraid precisely because we imagine that it could have been our bodies instead of theirs.

The New Yorker

Just as Kim Su-Young, having done some translations to earn pocket money, went and sat down in a magazine publisher's office, where he was told by the editors, "We feel afraid when we see you working," and heard that kind of insult, ridicule, painful words, so if avantgardists are shot and killed, that's cool, but if they live like actors changing lamps, that's servile.

The Guardian - Books

If we feel afraid, we will lose".

Vice

"We feel afraid while going out to collect water".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we felt afraid" to convey a shared experience of fear, but consider stronger verbs or adverbs (e.g., "we were terrified", "we felt intensely afraid") to intensify the emotion.

Common error

In academic or formal contexts, avoid overuse of "we felt afraid". Opt for more precise and descriptive language, such as "we experienced apprehension" or "we were concerned about the potential risks", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we felt afraid" functions as a statement expressing a shared emotion. It uses the pronoun "we" to indicate a group experience and the verb "felt" to describe the sensation of fear. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically sound way to describe a feeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we felt afraid" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a shared feeling of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While suitable for various contexts, it's often found in news and media. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "we experienced fear". When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining who "we" refers to. Remember to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. The alternatives phrases are "we were scared", "we were frightened".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were frightened

Replaces "felt afraid" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the emotion of fear.

we were scared

Similar to "frightened", but slightly more informal and commonly used.

we experienced fear

More formal and descriptive, focusing on the experience of fear itself.

fear gripped us

A more evocative and figurative way to describe the feeling of fear, suggesting it had a strong hold.

we felt anxious

Shifts the focus to anxiety, which implies worry and unease in addition to fear.

we were apprehensive

Implies a sense of unease and anticipation of something negative, closely related to fear.

we dreaded it

Focuses on the anticipation of something fearful, highlighting aversion.

we were alarmed

Emphasizes a sudden sense of danger or shock that induced fear.

we felt uneasy

Suggests a mild form of discomfort and apprehension, a subtle form of fear.

we were intimidated

Highlights the feeling of being threatened or overwhelmed, leading to fear.

FAQs

How can I use "we felt afraid" in a sentence?

You can use "we felt afraid" to describe a shared experience of fear or apprehension. For example, "As the storm raged outside, we felt afraid for our safety."

What can I say instead of "we felt afraid"?

Alternatives include "we were scared", "we were frightened", or "we experienced fear" depending on the context.

Is "we felt afraid" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "we felt afraid" might be considered less formal. In academic writing, consider using alternatives like "we experienced apprehension" or "we were concerned" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "we felt afraid" and "we were afraid"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "We felt afraid" emphasizes the sensory experience of fear, while "we were afraid" is a more direct statement of being in a state of fear. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.