I am frightened

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A statement that you feel afraid or very worried about something.

   Grammar: Used with 'of' before the cause: I am frightened of dogs. Also followed by 'that' or 'to': I am frightened that I will fail.

   Patterns

   • I am frightened of something
   • I am frightened of doing something
   • I am frightened that ...
   • I am frightened to do something

   I am frightened of the dark, so I leave a small light on.

   She said, 'I am frightened that I will make a mistake in the interview.'

   I am frightened to walk home alone at night in this area.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   A polite way to say you feel worried or nervous about something happening.

   Grammar: Often used with 'about' to introduce the situation: I am frightened about the exam results.

   Patterns

   • I am frightened about something

   I am frightened about the storm coming tonight.

   He told me, 'I am frightened about losing my job.'

Common combinations

frightened of spiders

My little brother is frightened of spiders.

frightened to death

I was frightened to death when the car backfired.

frightened that

She was frightened that no one would believe her.

Synonyms and how they differ

scared

More informal and common in everyday speech; 'frightened' sounds a little more serious or formal.

afraid

Very similar, but 'afraid' is often used in fixed phrases like 'I'm afraid so' and is slightly more formal.

terrified

Much stronger; it means extremely frightened.

Opposites

Word family

frighten verb

To make someone feel afraid.

frightening adjective

Making you feel afraid.

fright noun

A sudden feeling of fear.

Commonly confused: I am frightened or frightening?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “I am frightened”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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