What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
afraid
Example
I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to the party tonight. [afraid: adjective]
Example
She was afraid of the dark and always slept with a night light on. [afraid: preposition]
scared
Example
The loud noise scared the cat and it ran away. [scared: verb]
Example
He was too scared to speak up in front of the intimidating boss. [scared: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scared is more commonly used in everyday language than afraid. Scared is often used in informal contexts, while afraid is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between afraid and scared?
Afraid is more formal than scared. It is often used in more professional or academic contexts, while scared is more casual and colloquial.
