Scaringly vs Scare: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

When it comes to writing, choosing the right word can make all the difference. One common dilemma is deciding between “scaringly” and “scare.” So which is the proper word to use? The answer is that it depends on the context.

“Scaringly” is an adverb that means “in a way that causes fear or alarm.” On the other hand, “scare” is a verb that means “to cause someone to feel frightened or alarmed.” Both words are related to fear, but “scaringly” is used to describe how something is done, while “scare” is used to describe the action itself.

In this article, we will explore the differences between these two words and provide examples of when to use each.

Define Scaringly

Scaringly is an adverb that describes something that is done in a manner that causes fear or alarm. It is often used to indicate that something is done in a way that is particularly frightening or unsettling.

For example, one might say “The horror movie was scaringly realistic,” to describe the level of fear and unease that the movie caused.

Scaringly is a relatively uncommon word, but it can be a powerful way to convey a sense of fear or danger in your writing.

Define Scare

Scare is a verb that means to cause fear or alarm in someone or something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing a sudden loud noise that startles someone, to describing a more long-term feeling of unease or anxiety.

For example, one might say “The sound of the thunder scared the dog,” to describe the immediate fear that the dog experienced, or “The recent increase in crime has scared many residents of the neighborhood,” to describe a more ongoing sense of fear and unease.

Scare can also be used as a noun, to describe the feeling of fear or the thing that caused the fear. For example, one might say “I had a scare when I thought I lost my wallet,” to describe a moment of fear or panic.

Overall, scare is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of ways to describe fear and alarm.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence is essential to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. In this section, we will discuss how to use the words “scaringly” and “scare” correctly in a sentence.

How To Use “Scaringly” In A Sentence

“Scaringly” is an adverb that means in a way that causes fear or alarm. It is derived from the verb “scare,” which means to cause fear or frighten.

Here are some examples of how to use “scaringly” in a sentence:

• The horror movie was scaringly realistic.
• The haunted house was scaringly quiet.
• The roller coaster ride was scaringly exhilarating.

As you can see, “scaringly” is used to describe how something is done in a way that causes fear or alarm.

How To Use “Scare” In A Sentence

“Scare” is a verb that means to cause fear or frighten. It is often used to describe a sudden or unexpected event that causes fear.

Here are some examples of how to use “scare” in a sentence:

• The loud noise scared the cat.
• The horror movie scared me so much that I couldn’t sleep.
• The sudden appearance of the spider scared the children.

As you can see, “scare” is used to describe the action of causing fear or fright in someone or something.

It is important to note that “scaringly” and “scare” are not interchangeable. “Scaringly” is used to describe how something is done, while “scare” is used to describe the action of causing fear. Make sure to use the correct word in the appropriate context to avoid confusion.

More Examples Of Scaringly & Scare Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide you with more examples of how to use the words scaringly and scare in sentences to help you better understand their meanings and usage.

Examples Of Using Scaringly In A Sentence

• The scaringly high prices of gas have forced many people to switch to public transportation.
• He spoke scaringly of the dangers of the deep sea.
• The scaringly realistic horror movie left me feeling uneasy for days.
• Her scaringly accurate predictions of the future have earned her a reputation as a psychic.
• The scaringly loud thunder scared the children.
• The scaringly large spider made my skin crawl.
• The scaringly fast rollercoaster was not for the faint of heart.
• He scaringly recounted his experience with the paranormal.
• Her scaringly intense stare made me feel uncomfortable.
• The scaringly low number of available job openings has left many people unemployed.

Examples Of Using Scare In A Sentence

• The sudden loud noise scared the dog.
• The thought of losing her job scared her.
• The horror movie scared me so much that I had trouble sleeping.
• He tried to scare his little sister with a fake spider.
• The dark alley scared me, so I decided to walk a different route.
• The thunderstorm scared the children, so they huddled under the blankets.
• The haunted house was designed to scare visitors.
• The idea of public speaking scares many people.
• She tried to scare away the birds by making loud noises.
• The possibility of failure scared him into working harder.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words scaringly and scare, people often make mistakes by using them interchangeably. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended meaning. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Scaringly As An Adverb For Scare

One common mistake is using scaringly as an adverb for scare. For example, saying “The horror movie was scaringly good” instead of “The horror movie was scary good.” Scaringly is not a proper adverb for scare and its usage can be considered incorrect.

Using Scare As A Noun

Another mistake is using scare as a noun instead of a verb. For instance, saying “I had a scare when I saw the spider” instead of “I was scared when I saw the spider.” Scare is a verb, and using it as a noun can lead to confusion and improper usage.

Using Scaringly And Scare Interchangeably

Lastly, people often use scaringly and scare interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Scaringly means in a way that causes fear or alarm, while scare means to cause fear or alarm. For example, saying “The scaringly sound woke me up” instead of “The scary sound woke me up.” It is important to use the correct word to convey the intended meaning.

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Double-check your usage of scaringly and scare to ensure that they are being used correctly.
• If you are unsure of the proper usage, consult a dictionary or grammar guide.
• Practice using the words in context to become more familiar with their correct usage.

Context Matters

Choosing between scaringly and scare depends on the context in which they are used. While scare is a verb that means to frighten or alarm someone, scaringly is an adverb that describes the manner in which something is done in a scary or frightening way.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between scaringly and scare might change:

Context	Example	Choice
Verb	The horror movie scared me.	Scare
Adverb	The horror movie was scaringly realistic.	Scaringly
Comparative Adverb	The horror movie was more scaringly realistic than any other movie I’ve seen.	Scaringly
Comparative Adjective	The horror movie was scarier than any other movie I’ve seen.	Scary

In the first example, scare is used as a verb to describe the action of the horror movie on the speaker. In the second example, scaringly is used as an adverb to describe the manner in which the horror movie was realistic. In the third example, scaringly is used as a comparative adverb to compare the level of scariness of the horror movie to other movies. In the fourth example, scary is used as a comparative adjective to compare the level of scariness of the horror movie to other movies.

Exceptions To The Rules

When To Use “Scare” Instead Of “Scaringly”

While “scaringly” is the adverb form of “scare,” there are certain situations where it is more appropriate to use “scare” instead. These exceptions include:

• When describing a physical action: If you are describing a physical action that causes fear, it is more appropriate to use “scare” instead of “scaringly.” For example, “The sudden noise scared me” is more appropriate than “The sudden noise scaringly affected me.”
• When describing a state of being: If you are describing a state of being that is characterized by fear, it is more appropriate to use “scare” instead of “scaringly.” For example, “I am scared of spiders” is more appropriate than “I am scaringly afraid of spiders.”
• When using certain idiomatic expressions: There are certain idiomatic expressions that use “scare” instead of “scaringly.” For example, “scaredy-cat” is more appropriate than “scaringly-cat.”

When To Use “Scaringly” Instead Of “Scare”

While “scare” is the more commonly used term, there are certain situations where “scaringly” is more appropriate. These exceptions include:

• When emphasizing the intensity of fear: If you want to emphasize the intensity of fear, it is more appropriate to use “scaringly” instead of “scare.” For example, “The horror movie was scaringly realistic” emphasizes the intensity of fear more than “The horror movie was scary.”
• When describing a gradual process: If you are describing a gradual process that leads to fear, it is more appropriate to use “scaringly” instead of “scare.” For example, “The slow creaking of the floorboards was scaringly ominous” describes a gradual process that leads to fear more than “The slow creaking of the floorboards was scary.”

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a better understanding of the difference between “scaringly” and “scare,” let’s put our knowledge to the test with some practice exercises. These exercises will help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The haunted house was __________ spooky.
2. The little girl was __________ by the horror movie.
3. The clown’s makeup was __________.

Answer Key:

1. The haunted house was scary spooky.
2. The little girl was scared by the horror movie.
3. The clown’s makeup was scaringly over-the-top.

Exercise 2: Sentence Correction

Identify the errors in the following sentences and correct them:

1. The roller coaster was scaringly fun.
2. The ghost story was so scare.
3. She was so scaringly that she couldn’t even watch the movie.

Answer Key:

1. The roller coaster was scary fun.
2. The ghost story was so scary.
3. She was so scared that she couldn’t even watch the movie.

By practicing these exercises, you will become more confident in your ability to use “scary” and “scared” correctly in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the difference between “scaringly” and “scare,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. “Scaringly” is not a proper adverb and should be avoided in formal writing. Instead, “scarily” should be used to convey the meaning of “in a scary manner.”

It is important to pay attention to grammar and language use in writing to ensure clear communication. Using the correct words and phrases can make a significant difference in the impact of your writing.

Key Takeaways:

• “Scaringly” is not a proper adverb and should not be used in formal writing.
• “Scarily” should be used to convey the meaning of “in a scary manner.”
• Proper grammar and language use are important for clear communication.

Continuing to learn about grammar and language use can help improve your writing skills and make your message more effective. Reading and practicing writing regularly can also help you develop your writing style and voice.