Frightened meaning in English

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Definition

(I'm) frightened: (I'm) afraid, scared adjective
to frighten (someone off): to scare (someone to stop them doing something) verb

UK: I'm very frightened of tables.
US: Come back! I didn't mean to frighten you off.

Examples

  • "Please don't be frightened by my sisters."
  • "People carve faces into pumpkins to frighten off evil spirits."
  • "Icarus : I was so frightened!"
  • "No longer a small boy, frightened and ridiculed and picked on."
Exercise 1
Moira asks Lance, "Aren't you scared?".
How else could she ask this question?

There may be more than one correct answer!
Moira asks Lance, "Aren't you scared?".
How else could she ask this question?

There may be more than one correct answer!
One is afraid (or fearful, or scared) in English. We don't use the verb "have" to express being "afraid" or "scared". We usually say "I am scared" or "I am afraid". The question "haven't you afraid?" is grammatically incorrect.
This is one way to ask this question correctly. "To be afraid" is to be scared or frightened.
One is scared (or fearful, or afraid) in English. We don't use the verb "have" to express being "afraid" or "scared". We usually say "I am scared" or "I am afraid". The question "haven't you scared?" is grammatically incorrect.
This is one way to ask this question correctly. "To be frightened" is to be scared or afraid.
Exercise 2
From the list below, choose the TRUE statements about the broadcast.

There may be more than one correct answer!
From the list below, choose the TRUE statements about the broadcast.

There may be more than one correct answer!
Icarus claims that his experience with his co-worker (Horatio) made him feel "frightened", which is synonymous with the term "scared".
Donna tells Icarus to "let it all out", which is an encouragement to express himself completely, without holding back. She then tells him that it's okay to cry if he needs to.
Donna advises Icarus to confront or face his co-worker (Horatio) in the future; not to avoid or ignore him.
Icarus tells Donna that he suffered a "panic attack", but not that he was attacked (physically) by a co-worker.
Exercise 3
Choose the correct superlative or comparative form for each term in the blanks below.

Luna: Have you seen that film 'Attack of the Killer Artichokes 2?'
Polly: Yes! It was one of the films I have ever seen.
Luna: It was than Attack of the Killer Artichokes 1.
Polly: I was by 'Revenge of the Sharks 3' than the Artichoke film.
Luna: I think 'Revenge of the Sharks 3' is the film I have ever seen.
Polly: Yes, but you get scared by the evening news, Luna!
Choose the correct superlative or comparative form for each term in the blanks below.

Luna: Have you seen that film 'Attack of the Killer Artichokes 2?'
Polly: Yes! It was one of the [not done] most terrible 1 films I have ever seen.
Luna: It was [not done] better 2 than Attack of the Killer Artichokes 1.
Polly: I was [not done] more frightened 3 by 'Revenge of the Sharks 3' than the Artichoke film.
Luna: I think 'Revenge of the Sharks 3' is the [not done] most terrifying 4 film I have ever seen.
Polly: Yes, but you get scared by the evening news, Luna!
1 most terrible: The need for the superlative form is often signaled by phrases such as 'I have ever seen' or simply the terms 'ever' or 'never'. 'Terrible' is a long (polysyllabic) adjective which requires 'most' or 'least' in the superlative form. Here Polly is expressing that the film Luna mentions is one of the worst films she has ever seen.
2 better: The comparative form is required here to compare (or contrast) the two films being discussed by Polly and Luna. Luna is stating her preference for one film over the other. 'Better' is the comparative form of the adjective 'good'. The adjective 'good' is irregular in its comparative and superlative forms: Good/Better/Best.
3 more frightened: 'Frightened' is a long (polysyllabic) adjective, so it requires the prefix 'more' in its comparative form. Polly is indicating that 'Revenge of the Sharks 3' scared her more than 'Attack of the Killer Artichokes 2'. Comparative constructions (of equality, superiority, or inferiority) are often completed with the term 'than' which introduces the second object (or subject) being compared. 'To be frightened of something' is to be scared or afraid of it.
4 most terrifying: 'Terrifying' is a polysyllabic adjective, therefore it requires the prefix 'most' in its superlative form. Luna is expressing that 'Revenge of the sharks 3' scared her more than any other film she has ever seen.
Exercise 4
Candy reports that the elderly are at risk this weekend.
She means that will be particularly this weekend's weather.
Candy reports that the elderly are at risk this weekend.
She means that old people 1 will be particularly susceptible to 2 this weekend's weather.
1 old people: Candy reports that "elderly" people will be "at risk" this weekend due to the intense heat. The adjective "elderly" is a polite term which describes (only) people who are aged or old.
1 sick people: The term "elderly" refers to old people, not necessarily sick or infirm people. Although older people tend to be less health than others, the term refers strictly to age and NOT health.
1 young people: The term "elderly" refers to someone of advanced age, not a young person.
1 homeless people: While a "homeless person" (a person without a home, apartment or shelter) might be affected by the intense heat in Houston, this is not what Candy means when she refers to "elderly people".
1 motorists: Candy reports that people won't be able to wash their cars because of the shortage of water this weekend, however "motorists" (or drivers) aren't the people she says will be "at risk" or susceptible to the heat in Houston.
2 susceptible to: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" due to the heat this weekend. The phrase "at risk" describes someone or something "in danger" or vulnerable. For example: Overweight people are more at risk for diabetes than people in good shape.
2 interested in: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" this weekend, not that they will be particularly interested in the weather.
2 excited by: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" this weekend, not that they will be particularly "excited" by the weather.
2 frightened by: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" this weekend, not that they will be particularly "frightened" by the weather. To be "frightened" by something is to be scared or afraid of it. Example: Horatio is frightened by advanced technology.
Exercise 5
'I fear we're only scratching the surface of what could be done.'
This could also be expressed as: 'I am that Delavigne has only implemented measures.'

'We've already introduced the quick fixes.'
In this context, a 'quick fix' normally describes a .
'I fear we're only scratching the surface of what could be done.'
This could also be expressed as: 'I am concerned 1 that Delavigne has only implemented superficial 2 measures.'

'We've already introduced the quick fixes.'
In this context, a 'quick fix' normally describes a short-term solution 3.
1 concerned: This is correct. In the sentence 'I fear that we're only scratching the surface...', 'I fear that...' is synonymous with 'I am concerned that...' or 'I am worried that...'. Example: I fear that they may be late for the wedding. 'I fear that...' is used idiomatically to express a 'concern' or 'worry', not a literal 'fear'. This figurative use of 'fear' is often signaled by the term 'that' which directly follows.
1 frightened: This is incorrect. The adjective 'frightened' is too strong to be used in this context. Bruno is not literally 'scared' or 'frightened' about the measures implemented by Delavigne, he is 'concerned' about them. Bruno is not expressing a real 'fear' in the sense of being 'scared' or 'frightened'.
1 saddened: This is incorrect. Bruno is not 'saddened' by the measures implemented by Delavigne. When something 'saddens' someone, it makes them 'sad' or 'unhappy', for example: The fact that my father couldn't come to my wedding really saddened me.
1 hoping: This is incorrect. The verbs 'hope' and 'fear' are opposite in meaning.
2 superficial: This is the correct answer. 'To scratch the surface' means to treat something 'superficially' or to deal lightly with a subject. The expression often signals that 'more can be done' or that there is room for improvement. Example: The police are only scratching the surface of the corruption scandal, more investigation need to be done. Bruno means that the company has only put in place temporary or superficial measures for helping the environment, and that there is more work to be done in this regard.
2 expensive: This is incorrect. The expression 'to scratch the surface' is unrelated to the 'expense' of something.
2 destructive: This is incorrect. The expression 'to scratch the surface' is unrelated to how 'destructive' something is.
2 misguided: This is incorrect. The expression 'to scratch the surface' is unrelated to whether an action is 'misguided', 'unwise', or 'ill-judged'.
3 short-term solution: This is correct. A 'quick fix' is a 'short-term' or 'temporary' solution, often put in place at the last minute or because of time or money constraints, for example: Taking Prozac is often a quick fix for those suffering from depression. Bruno says that Delavigne Corp has already introduced the 'quick fixes', which means that his company has put quick or easy measures in place, which aren't necessarily long-term solutions.
3 repair: This is incorrect. Although 'to fix' is synonymous with 'to repair' in many contexts, the expression '(to introduce a) quick fix' expresses a different sense than a 'repair'. A 'quick fix' is really a temporary or 'short-term' solution. Moreover, the Delavigne Corporation hasn't 'repaired' anything, rather they have introduced temporary or superficial measures to help the environment.
3 low-cost alternative: This is incorrect. Although a 'quick fix' can be inexpensive (or of 'low cost'), this is not the meaning of the term in this context. A 'quick fix' describes the duration of the solution, not its cost.
3 plan of action: This is incorrect. A 'quick fix' is unrelated to a 'plan of action'.

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