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be scared vs become fearful

Both "be scared" and "become fearful" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Be scared" is more commonly used in everyday language to express a feeling of fear or anxiety, while "become fearful" is a more formal or literary way to describe the process of becoming afraid.

Last updated: March 19, 2024

be scared

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express fear or anxiety.

Use "be scared" when you want to convey a feeling of fear or anxiety. It is a common and natural way to express being afraid.

Examples:

I am scared of spiders.
Don't be scared, I'm here to help you.
She was scared to go into the dark room.
Are you scared of heights?
The loud noise made him scared.

Show examples from the web [+]

to be very frightened. be scared/bored witless. Add to my wordlist. jump to other results. (informal) to be extremely frightened or bored See related entries: Stupid, ...
Fables by Aesop View in context. Would you be scared to go down the Corbury road with me on a night like this? Ethan Frome by Wharton, Edith View in context.
“Just because you're scarred for life doesn't mean you should be scared to live.” ... You don't have to be scared to lose someone, when there's no one around to ...
Can't be scared when it goes down, Got you problem · Chicken (scared) ... Don't Scary [don't be scared] - grammar feel fear/ be scared/afraid - grammar

Alternatives:

feel scared
be afraid
be frightened
be terrified
be petrified

become fearful

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in everyday language. It is more formal or literary.

Use "become fearful" in more formal or literary contexts when you want to describe the process of becoming afraid. It is a more sophisticated way to express fear.

Examples:

As the storm approached, she became fearful of the strong winds.
He became fearful of the unknown dangers lurking in the shadows.
The eerie silence made the travelers become fearful of what might be hiding in the darkness.
The sudden change in his behavior made her become fearful of his intentions.
The strange noises in the old house made them become fearful of ghosts.

Show examples from the web [+]

There are three reasons that pets become fearful in multiple situations. Basic Temperament Of The Pet: Some pets are just wired more fearful than others.
Nov 1, 2011 ... Most typically, we find dogs that are afraid of loud noises, such as thunderstorms and fireworks, but also they can become fearful of children, ...
If punishment continues, he might start to become fearful.Fear leads to attempts to escape the source of the punishment (you or that particular environment).
Q. My dog has suddenly become fearful, he is so fearful now that just taking him out to go potty is a hassle. He tries to back out of his collar and run away. Do you ...

Alternatives:

start to fear
grow afraid
develop a sense of fear
turn fearful
begin to feel scared

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