were frightened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were frightened by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction of fear experienced by someone due to a specific event or situation. Example: "The children were frightened by the loud thunder during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Some merchants complained that shoppers were frightened by the animals.

The New York Times

"The Tories were frightened by it, and very cynical.

The Guardian

"I think a lot of them were frightened by the whole thing.

Independent

Birand said that many Turks were frightened by what was happening in Iraq.

The New Yorker

They were frightened by the world round them, in all its guises.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another theory is that the dolphins were frightened by a killer whale.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I'm frightened by my desires, too.

The New York Times

"I'm frightened by that," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times

"I remember almost being frightened by it.

The New Yorker

I was frightened by that".

The Guardian

To be frightened by something frightening?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were frightened by", ensure that the subject clearly identifies who or what experienced the fear and that the object specifies the cause of the fear.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what caused the fear. For example, instead of "They were frightened by it", specify "They were frightened by the sudden noise."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were frightened by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject experienced fear as a result of an external cause. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts, highlighting the subject's emotional response to a specific stimulus or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were frightened by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of fear caused by a specific event or situation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "were scared by" or "were alarmed by" exist, the phrase remains a clear and effective way to convey a sense of fear or alarm. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using this phrase, ensure that the cause of fear is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were scared by

Uses a more informal synonym for "frightened".

were alarmed by

Indicates a sudden feeling of fear or concern.

were terrified by

Conveys a stronger sense of fear.

were intimidated by

Suggests fear caused by a feeling of being threatened or inferior.

were apprehensive about

Focuses on anxiety about something that might happen.

felt fear because of

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the feeling of fear.

experienced fright due to

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the experience of fear.

were made fearful by

Highlights the cause of the fear.

were spooked by

Offers a more colloquial expression for being frightened.

were petrified by

Implies an intense level of fear that can be paralyzing.

FAQs

How can I use "were frightened by" in a sentence?

Use "were frightened by" to describe a state of fear caused by something specific. For example, "The children "were frightened by" the loud thunder."

What's a more formal alternative to "were frightened by"?

More formal alternatives include "were alarmed by" or "were made fearful by". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "were frightened by" and "were scared by"?

While "were frightened by" and "were scared by" are often interchangeable, "frightened" can sometimes imply a slightly more intense or sudden feeling of fear.

What can I say instead of "I'm frightened by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I'm afraid of", "I'm anxious about", or "I'm worried about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.