which is terrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is terrifying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety, often following a statement that introduces the subject being discussed. Example: "The thought of losing everything I worked for, which is terrifying, keeps me up at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Which is terrifying.

The New York Times

"He dug endlessly, which is terrifying".

The New York Times - Books

Which is terrifying, if it's true.

The Guardian - Opinion

And I know some very decisive people who lack judgment, which is terrifying.

The New York Times

We are seeing an increase of fundamentalism in Iraq which is terrifying.

The Guardian

Quentin Crisp said: 'Charisma is the ability to influence without logic', which is terrifying".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It will still unsettle the ANC, which is terrified of being outflanked by populists.

The Guardian

… which was terrifying.

The Guardian

"But this brief was short and sweet: it was 'comfortable and beautiful.' Which was terrifying".

The New York Times

"I did William Kentridge, which was terrifying — to do an animation about an animator".

The New Yorker

I hear you didn't get any say in which bits they used… … which was terrifying.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is terrifying" to add a subjective assessment of fear or anxiety following a statement of fact, making your writing more engaging and relatable.

Common error

Avoid using "which is terrifying" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more objective and analytical language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is terrifying" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding a subjective comment expressing fear or anxiety about the main clause. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase commonly follows a statement of fact or a situation, offering an emotional assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is terrifying" is a common and grammatically correct relative clause used to express fear or anxiety related to a previous statement. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, with frequent usage in news and media contexts. While suitable for neutral to informal writing, more objective language might be preferred in highly formal or academic settings. Alternatives such as "that's a frightening prospect" or "it's a scary thought" can offer similar meaning with slight variations in intensity or tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a frightening prospect

Replaces "which is" with "that's a", focusing on the frightening nature of the prospect.

it's a scary thought

Substitutes "terrifying" with "scary", offering a more common and less intense term for fear.

this is alarming

Replaces the relative clause with a direct statement, emphasizing the alarming nature of the situation.

it's deeply unsettling

Uses "deeply unsettling" instead of "terrifying", conveying a sense of unease and disturbance.

it fills me with dread

Shifts the focus to the speaker's emotional response, using "dread" to indicate a sense of impending doom.

that's cause for concern

Replaces the emotional impact with a statement of worry, indicating a need for attention and caution.

that's genuinely worrying

Emphasizes the genuineness of the worry caused by the preceding statement, replacing "terrifying" with "worrying".

this is a cause for alarm

Conveys the idea that the situation warrants immediate attention due to potential danger, replacing "terrifying" with "cause for alarm".

that notion is chilling

Replaces "which is" with "that notion is", and uses "chilling" to describe the terrifying nature of the notion.

it induces fear

Uses a more formal tone, indicating that something instills fear, replacing "terrifying" with "induces fear".

FAQs

How can I use "which is terrifying" in a sentence?

Use "which is terrifying" to express fear or anxiety about a preceding statement. For example, "The prospect of climate change, which is terrifying, demands immediate action."

What are some alternatives to "which is terrifying"?

You can use alternatives like "that's a frightening prospect", "it's a scary thought", or "this is alarming" depending on the specific context.

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

While grammatically correct, "which is terrifying" might be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using more objective language to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "which is terrifying" and "which is frightening"?

While both phrases convey fear, "which is terrifying" suggests a more intense level of fear than "which is frightening". The choice depends on the degree of fear you want to express.