"Afraid" vs. "scared": what sets them apart?

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 19/12/2024, 08:04

English.me team member

Afraid and scared. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "afraid" and "scared" are adjectives that describe a feeling of fear or anxiety. They are often used interchangeably to express being fearful of something or someone. Both words convey an emotional response to perceived danger or threat.

What is different?

"Afraid" is generally considered more formal and is often used to express a general or ongoing state of fear. It is not typically used before a noun. "Scared" is slightly less formal and can imply a sudden or intense fear. It can be used before a noun (e.g., "a scared child") and is also the past participle of the verb "scare."

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Afraid

She is afraid of flying in airplanes.
I'm afraid we don't have any available appointments today.
They were afraid to venture into the dark forest.

Scared

The sudden noise scared the children.
He was scared after watching the horror movie.
Don't be scared to ask questions during the presentation.