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B1 Verb (present participle) / Gerund #15 most common 15 min read

scaring

Top 15

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips scaring in 30 Seconds

Explanation scaring in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'scaring' is a simple action word. It means making someone feel afraid. You might use it when talking about playing with friends or pets. For example, 'I am scaring the cat.' It is important to know that 'scaring' is what you do, and 'scared' is how you feel. At this level, you should focus on using 'scaring' in the present continuous tense with 'am', 'is', or 'are'. It is a fun word to use when talking about Halloween or ghost stories. You can also use it to tell someone to stop doing something, like 'Stop scaring me!' This is a very common way to use the word in daily life. Remember to use only one 'r' when you write it. If you use two 'r's, it becomes a different word. 'Scaring' is a very useful word for beginners because fear is a basic emotion that everyone understands. You will hear it in cartoons and simple stories for children. Just remember: you scare a person or an animal. You are the one doing the action.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'scaring' in more ways. You can use it to describe why someone is doing something. For example, 'He is scaring the birds away from the garden.' Here, 'scaring' is part of a phrasal verb 'scaring away'. This means making something leave because it is afraid. You can also use 'scaring' as a gerund, which is a verb that acts like a noun. For example, 'Scaring people is not nice.' In this sentence, 'scaring' is the subject. You are talking about the activity itself. You should also learn to use 'scaring' in the past continuous tense, like 'The loud noise was scaring the children yesterday.' This helps you tell stories about things that happened in the past. At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse 'scaring' with 'scary'. 'Scary' is an adjective that describes a thing, like 'a scary movie'. 'Scaring' is the action. So, you say 'The scary movie is scaring me.' This shows you understand the difference between a quality and an action.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'scaring' in various grammatical structures and contexts. You can use it to describe social situations and more complex emotions. For example, you might talk about 'scaring off' a potential boyfriend or girlfriend by being too serious. This is a more metaphorical use of the word. You can also use 'scaring' in participial phrases to add detail to your sentences: 'Scaring everyone in the room, the sudden scream made everyone jump.' This shows a higher level of English proficiency. You should also be aware of common collocations, such as 'scaring the life out of someone' or 'scaring someone to death'. These are idiomatic ways to say that someone is very frightened. At this level, you should also be able to distinguish 'scaring' from similar words like 'frightening' or 'startling'. You know that 'scaring' is often more informal and direct. You can use it to describe not just physical fear, but also psychological anxiety, such as 'scaring someone into making a decision'. This level of mastery allows you to express yourself more naturally and accurately in a wide range of situations.

At the B2 level, you can use 'scaring' in professional and abstract contexts. You might hear or use it in discussions about the economy, politics, or social issues. For example, 'The high interest rates are scaring off potential homebuyers.' In this context, 'scaring' describes a market reaction rather than a physical emotion. You can also use it to discuss psychological tactics, such as 'scaremongering', which is the act of deliberately scaring the public to achieve a goal. Your understanding of the word should include its nuances in different registers. You know that while 'scaring' is common in speech, words like 'intimidating' or 'deterring' might be more appropriate in a formal essay. You can also use 'scaring' in more complex sentence structures, such as 'The possibility of failure was scaring him more than the task itself.' This shows you can use the word to compare different levels of anxiety. You are also fully aware of the spelling distinction between 'scaring' and 'scarring' and can use both correctly in your writing. Your use of 'scaring' is now fluid and integrated into your broader vocabulary of fear and influence.

At the C1 level, your use of 'scaring' is sophisticated and nuanced. You can use it to describe subtle psychological states and complex social dynamics. For example, you might analyze how a character in a novel is 'scaring themselves' with their own imagination, or how a political campaign is 'scaring the electorate' into compliance. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other words in the 'fear' family. You can use 'scaring' in highly descriptive prose to create a specific atmosphere. For instance, 'The shadows were scaring the edges of his sanity.' This metaphorical use shows a deep command of the language. You are also adept at using 'scaring' in idiomatic expressions with perfect timing and context. You can discuss the ethics of 'scaring' as a pedagogical tool or a marketing strategy. Your ability to switch between the literal use of 'scaring' (a jump-scare) and its most abstract applications (scaring the global markets) is a testament to your high level of proficiency. You use the word not just to communicate a fact, but to evoke a specific emotional or intellectual response in your audience.

At the C2 level, 'scaring' is a tool you use with precision and flair. You can use it to explore philosophical concepts, such as the role of 'scaring' in human evolution or the existential 'scaring' that comes from contemplating the infinite. You can use the word in academic papers, literary critiques, or high-level business negotiations with equal ease. You might discuss the 'scaring effect' of a new regulation on innovation, using the word to capture a complex set of behaviors and reactions. Your mastery of the word includes an understanding of its most obscure uses and its relationship to synonyms across different dialects of English. You can use 'scaring' in a way that is both powerful and understated, choosing it over more complex words when the directness of 'scaring' is more effective. You can also play with the word's grammatical functions, using it in ways that push the boundaries of standard usage while remaining perfectly clear. For a C2 learner, 'scaring' is no longer just a word for fear; it is a versatile instrument for describing the many ways that fear, influence, and reaction intersect in the human experience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

scaring in 30 Seconds

Scaring is the active process of making someone feel afraid or surprised.
It is the '-ing' form of the verb 'scare', used in continuous tenses.
As a gerund, it acts as a noun to describe the activity of frightening.
Commonly used in phrases like 'scaring off' or 'scaring away' to mean making something leave.

The word scaring is the present participle and gerund form of the verb 'scare'. At its most fundamental level, it refers to the active process of causing a sudden sensation of fear, alarm, or anxiety in another person or animal. Unlike the state of being 'scared', which is a passive emotion, 'scaring' is an action or a description of an ongoing event. People use this word in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from playful pranks among friends to serious discussions about psychological impact or even economic instability. In a social setting, scaring often involves a surprise element, such as jumping out from behind a door or telling a ghost story. In a more abstract sense, we talk about scaring off potential investors or scaring away wildlife. The term is deeply rooted in our biological 'fight or flight' response, as the act of scaring triggers an immediate physiological reaction in the recipient, including increased heart rate and adrenaline production.

Active Process: The word describes the performance of an action that results in fear, rather than the feeling of fear itself.

The loud thunder was scaring the kittens, making them hide under the sofa.

Furthermore, scaring can be intentional or unintentional. An unintentional scare might happen when you turn a corner and bump into someone, while an intentional scare is often a calculated move. In the world of entertainment, scaring is a multi-billion dollar industry; horror movies and haunted house attractions are designed specifically for the purpose of scaring the audience in a safe environment. This controlled scaring allows people to experience the rush of fear without actual danger. Linguistically, when used as a gerund, 'scaring' acts as a noun. For example, in the sentence 'Scaring people is not a kind thing to do,' the word 'scaring' is the subject of the sentence. This versatility makes it a crucial word for intermediate learners to master, as it bridges the gap between simple actions and more complex grammatical structures.

Gerund Usage: When used as a noun, 'scaring' describes the concept or activity of frightening others.

Stop scaring your little sister with those masks!

In nature, scaring is a survival mechanism. Many animals have evolved features or behaviors specifically for scaring away predators. For instance, a pufferfish inflates its body to look larger and more threatening, effectively scaring off anything that might try to eat it. Similarly, some butterflies have patterns on their wings that look like large eyes, scaring birds into thinking they are looking at a much larger creature. In human society, we use the word 'scaring' to describe political or economic tactics as well. 'Scaremongering' is a related term that refers to the act of spreading frightening rumors to influence public opinion. Whether it is a child scaring a friend for a laugh or a politician scaring the public about a new policy, the word captures the dynamic of using fear as a tool or a reaction.

The sudden drop in stock prices is scaring away new investors.

Environmental Context: Used to describe the effect of noise or movement on animals and the natural world.

The hikers were careful not to make noise, fearing they might be scaring the deer away.

Finally, it is important to note the spelling. A common mistake is confusing 'scaring' with 'scarring'. 'Scaring' (one 'r') comes from 'scare' and relates to fear. 'Scarring' (two 'r's) comes from 'scar' and relates to permanent marks left on the skin or mind after an injury. Understanding this distinction is vital for clear communication. In summary, 'scaring' is a vibrant, active word that describes the transmission of fear in various forms, from the physical to the psychological, and from the literal to the metaphorical.

By scaring the intruder, the brave dog protected the entire household.

Using the word scaring correctly requires an understanding of its role as a present participle and a gerund. As a present participle, it is frequently used in continuous tenses to describe an action that is currently happening. For example, in the present continuous, you might say, 'The clown is scaring the children.' Here, the action is ongoing. It can also be used in the past continuous: 'The ghost story was scaring everyone in the room.' In these cases, 'scaring' follows a form of the verb 'to be' and is followed by an object—the person or thing that is being frightened. This structure is essential for describing dynamic situations where fear is being actively generated.

Present Continuous: Used with 'am/is/are' to show an ongoing action of frightening someone.

You are scaring me with all this talk about monsters!

When 'scaring' functions as a gerund, it acts as a noun. This allows it to serve as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. For instance, as a subject: 'Scaring people for fun is a common prank on Halloween.' As an object of a verb: 'He enjoys scaring his younger brother.' As an object of a preposition: 'She apologized for scaring us so badly.' This flexibility allows speakers to discuss the concept of frightening others as an activity or a topic of conversation. It is also common to see 'scaring' paired with adverbs to describe the intensity or manner of the action, such as 'deliberately scaring' or 'accidentally scaring'.

Gerund as Subject: The activity of scaring is the main focus of the sentence.

Scaring off the birds is the main job of a scarecrow.

Another important usage involves phrasal verbs like 'scaring off' or 'scaring away'. These are used when the act of frightening someone or something causes them to leave or stay away. For example, 'The barking dog succeeded in scaring off the burglar.' Or, 'The high prices are scaring away potential customers.' In these sentences, 'scaring' is part of a larger idiomatic expression that describes a result (leaving) caused by fear. This is particularly common in business and environmental contexts. Mastery of these phrasal forms is a hallmark of a B1-level learner, as it shows an ability to use more natural, idiomatic English.

The loud music was scaring away all the fish in the lake.

Phrasal Verb Usage: Combining 'scaring' with 'off' or 'away' to show displacement.

He was scaring off the competition with his aggressive marketing tactics.

Finally, 'scaring' can be used in more complex structures, such as participial phrases that provide additional information about a subject. For example: 'Scaring everyone with his sudden shout, the man laughed loudly.' In this sentence, the phrase 'Scaring everyone with his sudden shout' describes the man and the effect of his action simultaneously. This level of sentence variety is excellent for writing more sophisticated essays or stories. Whether you are describing a scene in a novel or explaining a situation to a friend, 'scaring' provides a precise way to talk about the impact of fear-inducing actions.

By scaring the public, the news report caused a widespread panic.

The word scaring is ubiquitous in daily life, media, and literature. One of the most common places you will hear it is in the context of children playing. Children often engage in games where the primary goal is scaring one another, such as 'hide and seek' or telling spooky stories around a campfire. Parents also use the word frequently, often as a warning: 'Stop scaring your brother!' or 'You're scaring the cat!' In these everyday interactions, the word is usually associated with immediate, physical reactions to surprise or loud noises. It is a very natural part of informal, spoken English, especially when describing social dynamics and emotional responses.

Everyday Conversation: Used by parents, children, and friends to describe playful or accidental frightening.

'I didn't mean to startle you; I was just scaring away a fly!' he explained.

In the realm of entertainment and media, 'scaring' is a key term. Film critics and audiences use it to discuss horror movies: 'The movie was great at scaring the audience without using too many jump scares.' On news broadcasts, you might hear it in a more metaphorical sense. Reporters often talk about 'scaring the markets' or 'scaring voters'. For example, if a government announces a radical new tax, a news anchor might say, 'The proposed changes are scaring many small business owners.' In this context, 'scaring' refers to creating a sense of financial or social insecurity. This metaphorical use is very common in journalism and political commentary, where fear is often used as a metric for public reaction.

Media and News: Used metaphorically to describe the impact of news on public or financial stability.

The documentary was criticized for scaring the public with exaggerated claims about the future.

You will also encounter 'scaring' in literature and creative writing. Authors use it to describe the atmosphere of a scene or the actions of a villain. A gothic novel might describe a character 'scaring the wits out of' a traveler. In nature documentaries, the narrator might describe a predator 'scaring its prey into the open'. This wide range of applications—from the playground to the stock market to the depths of a forest—shows how fundamental the concept of scaring is to the human experience. Whether the fear is a jump-scare in a movie or a deep-seated worry about the future, 'scaring' is the word we use to describe the act of bringing that fear to the surface.

The sudden rustle in the bushes was scaring the campers, who huddled closer to the fire.

Nature and Wildlife: Used to describe the interactions between predators and prey or humans and animals.

By scaring the birds away from the crops, the farmer saved his harvest.

Finally, the word is common in idiomatic expressions. You might hear someone say they were 'scaring the living daylights out of' someone else. These idioms are very common in movies and casual storytelling. They add color and intensity to the description of the event. Understanding these common contexts helps learners not only use the word correctly but also understand the emotional weight it carries in different situations.

He was scaring himself by thinking about all the things that could go wrong.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with the word scaring is a spelling mistake: writing 'scarring' instead. While they look similar, they have completely different meanings. 'Scaring' (with one 'r') is the act of frightening someone. 'Scarring' (with two 'r's) refers to the formation of a scar, which is a mark left on the skin after a wound heals. For example, 'The horror movie was scaring me' is correct, but 'The horror movie was scarring me' would imply that the movie was physically wounding you and leaving permanent marks. This is a crucial distinction to maintain, especially in written English, as it can lead to significant confusion.

Spelling Confusion: Mistaking 'scaring' (fear) for 'scarring' (physical marks).

Correct: He is scaring the baby. Incorrect: He is scarring the baby.

Another common mistake involves confusing 'scaring' with 'scary'. 'Scaring' is a verb form (present participle or gerund), while 'scary' is an adjective. You use 'scaring' to describe the action: 'The man is scaring the children.' You use 'scary' to describe the person or thing: 'The man is scary.' A learner might incorrectly say, 'The movie was scaring,' when they mean 'The movie was scary.' While 'The movie was scaring me' is grammatically correct because it has an object (me), 'The movie was scaring' feels incomplete. Remember: 'scary' describes a quality, while 'scaring' describes an action being performed on someone.

Adjective vs. Verb: Confusing the descriptive adjective 'scary' with the active verb 'scaring'.

Correct: That mask is very scary. Correct: You are scaring me with that mask.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the difference between 'scaring' and 'frightening'. While they are often synonyms, 'scaring' is generally more informal and visceral. 'Frightening' can feel a bit more formal or describe a more profound, lasting fear. Additionally, 'scaring' is almost always used for sudden, sharp moments of fear, whereas 'frightening' can describe a more general state. For example, 'The sudden noise was scaring the birds' sounds more natural than 'The sudden noise was frightening the birds,' although both are technically correct. Understanding these subtle nuances in register and intensity helps you sound more like a native speaker.

He was scaring the cat by chasing it around the house.

Missing Object: Using 'scaring' without specifying who is being scared.

Correct: Stop scaring the neighbors! Incorrect: Stop scaring!

Finally, there is the confusion between 'scaring' and 'scared'. 'Scaring' is the action you do to others; 'scared' is the feeling you have. A student might say, 'I am scaring of spiders,' when they mean 'I am scared of spiders.' In the first sentence, you are saying that you are the one making the spiders feel fear! In the second, you are correctly expressing your own fear. This is one of the most fundamental errors in English verb-adjective pairs (like 'boring' vs 'bored' or 'exciting' vs 'excited'). Always ask yourself: Am I doing the action, or am I feeling the result?

The ghost was scaring the residents, and now they are all scared.

While scaring is a very common and useful word, there are many alternatives that can provide more precision or a different tone. One of the most common synonyms is 'frightening'. As mentioned before, 'frightening' is slightly more formal and can describe a more intense or lasting fear. For example, 'The threat of war is frightening the population' sounds more appropriate than 'scaring' in a serious political context. Another alternative is 'startling', which specifically refers to a sudden, brief shock or surprise. You might startle someone by dropping a book, but you scare them by jumping out of a closet. 'Startling' is less about deep fear and more about the physical reaction to a sudden stimulus.

Frightening: A more formal and often more intense version of scaring.

The movie was scaring the kids, but the news was frightening the adults.

For more intense situations, you might use 'terrifying' or 'petrifying'. 'Terrifying' describes the act of causing extreme terror, while 'petrifying' literally means turning to stone, but is used metaphorically to describe scaring someone so much that they cannot move. If a horror movie is 'scaring' you, it's a standard experience; if it's 'terrifying' you, you might have nightmares for a week. On the other hand, if you want to describe a more subtle or psychological form of scaring, you might use 'intimidating' or 'daunting'. These words often relate to fear caused by someone's power, size, or the difficulty of a task. A large opponent might be 'intimidating' you, which is a form of scaring that doesn't necessarily involve a sudden shock.

Intimidating: Scaring someone through a display of power or superiority.

The boss was scaring the employees with threats of layoffs, which is very intimidating.

In a more technical or academic context, you might use 'deterring'. This means scaring someone away from doing something by making them realize the negative consequences. For example, 'The high fines are deterring people from speeding.' While the root of the action is fear (of the fine), 'deterring' is a more precise way to describe the social or legal function of that fear. Similarly, 'alarming' is used when something causes a sense of danger or urgency. A smoke detector 'alarms' you, which is a specific type of scaring meant to prompt action. Choosing the right word depends on the intensity of the fear and the context in which it occurs.

The doctor's serious expression was scaring the patient, as it was quite alarming.

Deterring: Scaring someone to prevent them from taking a certain action.

The security cameras are scaring off thieves, effectively deterring crime.

Finally, consider 'unnerving'. This describes a type of scaring that makes someone feel uneasy or lose their confidence. It's not a sudden jump-scare, but a slow, creeping feeling that something is wrong. A strange silence in a dark house can be 'unnerving'. By expanding your vocabulary beyond 'scaring', you can describe the full spectrum of human fear with much greater accuracy and impact. Whether you want to describe a terrifying monster or an unnerving silence, there is a specific word that fits the situation perfectly.

The strange man's constant staring was scaring the girl, as it was very unnerving.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'scarecrow' was invented in the late 16th century, combining 'scare' with 'crow' to describe a figure used for scaring birds away from crops. It shows how long the 'scaring' concept has been part of English agriculture.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈskeə.rɪŋ/

US /ˈsker.ɪŋ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: SCAR-ing.

Rhymes With

bearing caring daring flaring glaring pairing sharing wearing

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'scar-ring' (like the mark on skin).
Dropping the 'g' at the end (scarin').
Mispronouncing the 'air' sound as 'ar' (like car).
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'scoring'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts due to the common root 'scare'.

Writing 3/5

Can be confused with 'scarring' or 'scary' if not careful.

Speaking 2/5

Very natural to use in daily conversation.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

scare afraid fear scary scared

Learn Next

frighten terrify intimidate deter alarm

Advanced

scaremongering petrifying unnerving daunting startling

Grammar to Know

Present Continuous Tense

He is scaring the cat right now.

Gerunds as Subjects

Scaring people is not a very kind hobby.

Gerunds after Prepositions

She apologized for scaring us so much.

Phrasal Verbs with '-ing'

They are scaring off the competition with low prices.

Participial Phrases

Scaring the audience, the actor jumped onto the stage.

Examples by Level

The big dog is scaring the cat.

Le gros chien fait peur au chat.

Present continuous tense: 'is scaring'.

Stop scaring me!

Arrête de me faire peur !

Imperative form with a gerund.

He is scaring his little sister.

Il fait peur à sa petite sœur.

Subject + is + scaring + object.

The loud noise is scaring the baby.

Le bruit fort fait peur au bébé.

Present continuous with a non-human subject.

Are you scaring the birds?

Est-ce que tu fais peur aux oiseaux ?

Interrogative form of present continuous.

I am not scaring you.

Je ne te fais pas peur.

Negative form of present continuous.

The ghost is scaring the people.

Le fantôme fait peur aux gens.

Simple present continuous structure.

She likes scaring her friends.

Elle aime faire peur à ses amis.

Gerund used as the object of the verb 'likes'.

The farmer is scaring away the crows.

Le fermier fait fuir les corbeaux.

Phrasal verb: 'scaring away'.

Scaring people is his favorite hobby.

Faire peur aux gens est son passe-temps favori.

Gerund used as the subject of the sentence.

The thunder was scaring the dog all night.

Le tonnerre a fait peur au chien toute la nuit.

Past continuous tense: 'was scaring'.

He apologized for scaring us.

Il s'est excusé de nous avoir fait peur.

Gerund used after the preposition 'for'.

They are scaring off the intruders.

Ils font fuir les intrus.

Phrasal verb: 'scaring off'.

The movie was scaring me, so I left.

Le film me faisait peur, alors je suis parti.

Past continuous showing a cause and effect.

Stop scaring the fish with your splashing!

Arrête de faire peur aux poissons avec tes éclaboussures !

Gerund after the verb 'stop'.

Is he scaring you on purpose?

Est-ce qu'il te fait peur exprès ?

Present continuous with an adverbial phrase.

The sudden drop in sales is scaring the management.

La chute soudaine des ventes effraie la direction.

Metaphorical use of 'scaring' in a business context.

He was scaring the living daylights out of his classmates.

Il flanquait une frousse bleue à ses camarades de classe.

Idiomatic expression: 'scaring the living daylights out of'.

Scaring off potential investors is a bad idea.

Faire fuir les investisseurs potentiels est une mauvaise idée.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

The news about the virus was scaring the entire city.

Les nouvelles concernant le virus effrayaient toute la ville.

Past continuous describing a widespread state.

By scaring the intruder, the dog saved the house.

En faisant peur à l'intrus, le chien a sauvé la maison.

Preposition 'by' + gerund to show means.

She realized she was scaring him with her intensity.

Elle s'est rendu compte qu'elle lui faisait peur par son intensité.

Past continuous in a subordinate clause.

The haunted house was scaring even the bravest visitors.

La maison hantée effrayait même les visiteurs les plus courageux.

Past continuous with an emphasizing adverb 'even'.

He kept scaring me by jumping out from behind doors.

Il n'arrêtait pas de me faire peur en surgissant de derrière les portes.

Verb 'kept' + gerund.

The politician's rhetoric was scaring the electorate into voting for him.

La rhétorique du politicien effrayait l'électorat pour le pousser à voter pour lui.

Complex structure: scaring someone into doing something.

The threat of a strike is scaring the airline passengers.

La menace d'une grève effraie les passagers des compagnies aériennes.

Abstract subject causing fear.

Scaring away the competition through aggressive pricing is a common tactic.

Faire fuir la concurrence par des prix agressifs est une tactique courante.

Gerund phrase as subject in a professional context.

The documentary was criticized for scaring the public unnecessarily.

Le documentaire a été critiqué pour avoir effrayé le public inutilement.

Passive voice 'was criticized' followed by a prepositional phrase.

He was scaring himself with thoughts of the future.

Il se faisait peur avec des pensées sur l'avenir.

Reflexive use: scaring oneself.

The sudden market volatility is scaring even seasoned traders.

La volatilité soudaine du marché effraie même les traders chevronnés.

Present continuous with an abstract subject.

They were scaring off the wildlife with their loud construction work.

Ils faisaient fuir la faune avec leurs travaux de construction bruyants.

Past continuous with a phrasal verb.

Is scaring people really the best way to get their attention?

Faire peur aux gens est-il vraiment le meilleur moyen d'attirer leur attention ?

Gerund as the subject of an interrogative sentence.

The novelist excels at scaring the reader through psychological manipulation.

Le romancier excelle à effrayer le lecteur par la manipulation psychologique.

Gerund after the preposition 'at'.

The sheer scale of the project was scaring the team members.

L'ampleur même du projet effrayait les membres de l'équipe.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

By scaring the public with half-truths, the media can influence policy.

En effrayant le public avec des demi-vérités, les médias peuvent influencer la politique.

Gerund phrase showing means and impact.

The ghost story was scaring the children, but also fascinating them.

L'histoire de fantômes effrayait les enfants, mais les fascinait aussi.

Parallel structure with two present participles.

He was scaring off potential partners with his erratic behavior.

Il faisait fuir les partenaires potentiels par son comportement erratique.

Past continuous with a phrasal verb and a causal phrase.

The possibility of a global recession is scaring the international community.

La possibilité d'une récession mondiale effraie la communauté internationale.

Complex abstract subject.

Scaring someone into silence is a form of intimidation.

Effrayer quelqu'un pour le réduire au silence est une forme d'intimidation.

Gerund phrase as subject defining a concept.

The darkness was scaring her, but she refused to show it.

L'obscurité lui faisait peur, mais elle refusait de le montrer.

Past continuous with a contrastive clause.

The existential dread of the unknown was scaring him to his very core.

L'angoisse existentielle de l'inconnu l'effrayait jusqu'au plus profond de lui-même.

Highly abstract subject and idiomatic prepositional phrase.

Scaring the population into submission has been a tactic of many regimes.

Effrayer la population pour la soumettre a été une tactique de nombreux régimes.

Gerund phrase as subject in a historical/political context.

The sheer audacity of the plan was scaring even the most radical members.

L'audace même du plan effrayait même les membres les plus radicaux.

Abstract noun phrase as subject with emphasizing adverb.

The film’s brilliance lies in its ability to keep scaring the audience long after it ends.

Le brio du film réside dans sa capacité à continuer d'effrayer le public longtemps après sa fin.

Gerund after 'keep' in a complex sentence.

He was scaring off any hope of a peaceful resolution with his latest demands.

Il faisait fuir tout espoir d'une résolution pacifique avec ses dernières exigences.

Metaphorical use of 'scaring off' with an abstract object.

The realization of his own mortality was scaring him in a way he couldn't articulate.

La prise de conscience de sa propre mortalité l'effrayait d'une manière qu'il ne pouvait articuler.

Complex psychological subject.

Scaring the wits out of the public is sometimes the only way to provoke action.

Flanquer une peur bleue au public est parfois le seul moyen de provoquer une action.

Gerund phrase as subject with an idiomatic expression.

The silence of the forest was scaring him more than any noise could.

Le silence de la forêt l'effrayait plus que n'importe quel bruit ne le pourrait.

Comparative structure with a present participle.

Common Collocations

scaring off

scaring away

scaring the wits out of

scaring to death

scaring easily

scaring intentionally

scaring the public

scaring children

scaring animals

scaring investors

Common Phrases

Stop scaring me!

— A common command used when someone is frightening you, either playfully or seriously.

Stop scaring me with those ghost stories!

You're scaring the baby.

— A warning given to someone whose actions are causing a child to feel afraid.

Lower your voice; you're scaring the baby.

Scaring off the competition.

— Using tactics to make rivals leave a market or situation.

The company is scaring off the competition with low prices.

Scaring away the birds.

— Making birds fly away, often using a scarecrow or noise.

The cat is scaring away the birds in the garden.

Scaring the hell out of me.

— A very common, slightly informal way to say someone is frightening you intensely.

That sudden bang scared the hell out of me!

Scaring people for fun.

— Describing the activity of playing pranks that involve fear.

He enjoys scaring people for fun on Halloween.

Scaring the audience.

— Describing the effect of a performance or movie on the viewers.

The director is great at scaring the audience.

Scaring the neighborhood.

— Causing alarm among the people living in a specific area.

The loose dog was scaring the neighborhood.

Scaring the neighbors.

— Frightening the people who live next door.

Your loud music is scaring the neighbors' kids.

Scaring the cat.

— A common example of causing fear in a household pet.

Don't run so fast; you're scaring the cat.

Often Confused With

scaring vs scarring

Scarring (two 'r's) refers to permanent marks on the skin; scaring (one 'r') refers to fear.

scaring vs scary

Scary is an adjective (a scary movie); scaring is a verb form (the movie is scaring me).

scaring vs scared

Scared is how you feel; scaring is what you do to others.

Idioms & Expressions

"scaring the living daylights out of someone"

— To frighten someone extremely.

That horror movie was scaring the living daylights out of me.

informal

"scaring someone out of their wits"

— To frighten someone so much that they cannot think clearly.

The sudden scream was scaring her out of her wits.

neutral

"scaring someone to death"

— To frighten someone very severely (metaphorical).

You're scaring me to death with that driving!

informal

"scaring someone stiff"

— To frighten someone so much they cannot move.

The sight of the bear was scaring him stiff.

informal

"scaring the pants off someone"

— To frighten someone very much.

That prank was scaring the pants off everyone.

informal

"scaring someone spitless"

— To frighten someone so much their mouth goes dry.

The roller coaster was scaring the kids spitless.

informal

"scaring someone into submission"

— To use fear to make someone obey or give up.

The bully was scaring the other kids into submission.

neutral

"scaring the life out of someone"

— To frighten someone extremely.

The explosion was scaring the life out of the residents.

informal

"scaring someone silly"

— To frighten someone in a way that makes them act irrationally.

The ghost stories were scaring the campers silly.

informal

"scaring someone away"

— To frighten someone so they leave.

His aggressive attitude was scaring everyone away.

neutral

Easily Confused

scaring vs scarring

Similar spelling and pronunciation.

Scaring is about fear; scarring is about physical or emotional marks left by an injury. You scare a person, but a wound scars them.

The fire was scaring the family, but it was also scarring the walls.

scaring vs scary

Both relate to the root 'scare'.

Scary is an adjective used to describe a person, place, or thing. Scaring is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'scare'.

The scary clown was scaring the children.

scaring vs scoring

Similar vowel sound in some accents.

Scoring relates to points in a game or making a mark. Scaring relates to fear.

He was scoring goals while his brother was scaring the opponents.

scaring vs staring

Similar ending and look.

Staring is looking at someone for a long time. Scaring is making someone afraid.

His constant staring was scaring me.

scaring vs sharing

Rhyming word with similar spelling.

Sharing is giving part of something to others. Scaring is frightening them.

Instead of scaring his friends, he started sharing his toys.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + is + scaring + Object.

The dog is scaring the cat.

Stop + scaring + Object!

Stop scaring your brother!

Subject + be + scaring + off + Object.

The loud noise is scaring off the birds.

Scaring + Object + is + Adjective.

Scaring people is mean.

Subject + be + scaring + Object + into + Verb-ing.

He was scaring them into leaving.

By + scaring + Object, Subject + Verb.

By scaring the public, the news gained more viewers.

Subject + Verb + Object + for + scaring + Object.

I blamed him for scaring the children.

Participial phrase (Scaring...), Subject + Verb.

Scaring even the bravest, the storm raged on.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English, especially in narrative and descriptive contexts.

Common Mistakes

He is scarring the children. → He is scaring the children.
Using two 'r's changes the meaning to leaving permanent marks on the skin.
I am scaring of the dark. → I am scared of the dark.
You should use the adjective 'scared' to describe your own feelings.
The movie was scaring. → The movie was scary.
Use the adjective 'scary' to describe the quality of the movie.
Stop scaring! → Stop scaring me!
The verb 'scaring' usually needs an object (who you are scaring).
The loud noise scaring the birds. → The loud noise is scaring the birds.
The present continuous needs the auxiliary verb 'is'.

Tips

Use with 'to be'

When using 'scaring' as a verb, always pair it with a form of 'to be' like 'is', 'are', or 'was'.

The One-R Rule

Remember: One 'r' for fear (scaring), two 'r's for a mark (scarring). This is the most common spelling mistake.

Phrasal Verbs

Learn 'scaring off' and 'scaring away' together, as they are very common and useful in many situations.

Emphasis

Put the stress on the first syllable (SCAR-ing) to sound more like a native speaker.

Metaphorical Use

Don't be afraid to use 'scaring' for non-living things, like 'scaring the markets' or 'scaring the competition'.

Gerund Subjects

Using 'scaring' as a subject (e.g., 'Scaring people is wrong') is a great way to sound more advanced.

Listen for 'off'

When you hear 'scaring', listen for the word 'off' right after it to see if someone is being made to leave.

Active vs Passive

Always remember: 'scaring' is the action you do, 'scared' is the feeling you have. Don't mix them up!

Variety

Try using synonyms like 'frightening' or 'terrifying' to add more variety to your descriptions of fear.

Halloween Context

Use 'scaring' when talking about Halloween traditions, as it's the perfect word for that time of year.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'SCARE-ing' action as a 'SCARE' that is 'HAPPENING' right now. The '-ing' shows the action is in progress.

Visual Association

Imagine a person wearing a mask and jumping out at a friend. The moment they jump is the act of scaring.

Word Web

fear surprise frighten scarecrow scary scared alarm shock

Challenge

Try to use 'scaring' in three different ways today: as a verb for an animal, as a gerund subject, and in the phrase 'scaring off'.

Word Origin

The word 'scaring' comes from the verb 'scare', which has its roots in Middle English 'skeren'. This was derived from the Old Norse word 'skirra', meaning to frighten or to avert. It entered the English language in the late 12th or early 13th century.

Original meaning: The original meaning in Old Norse was to 'frighten away' or 'prevent', which is still seen in the phrasal verb 'scaring off'.

Germanic (Old Norse -> Middle English -> Modern English).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'scaring' in a professional context, as it can sound informal or accusatory. Use 'intimidating' or 'concerning' instead.

In the US and UK, 'scaring' is often used playfully among friends, but it can also be a serious term in news and politics.

The movie 'Monsters, Inc.' is entirely about the professional business of scaring children. The 'Scary Movie' franchise parodies the act of scaring in horror films. The term 'scaremongering' is frequently used in British political discourse.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Halloween and Pranks

scaring people for fun
scaring the neighbors
scaring the wits out of someone
scaring each other with stories

Nature and Gardening

scaring away the birds
scaring off the pests
scaring the wildlife
scaring the cat

Business and Finance

scaring off investors
scaring the markets
scaring the competition
scaring the public about prices

Parenting and Family

stop scaring your sister
scaring the baby
scaring the children
scaring me with your behavior

Entertainment and Media

scaring the audience
scaring the viewers
scaring the readers
scaring everyone with the news

Conversation Starters

"Do you enjoy scaring people on Halloween, or do you prefer being the one who gets scared?"

"Have you ever accidentally ended up scaring someone when you didn't mean to?"

"What is the most effective way of scaring away birds from a garden without hurting them?"

"Do you think horror movies are getting better or worse at scaring their audiences?"

"Is scaring people a good way to teach them a lesson, or is it usually a bad idea?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when you were scaring someone as a joke. How did they react and how did you feel?

Write about a situation where scaring off a problem was the best solution you could find.

Reflect on how the media might be scaring the public about a current event. Is it helpful or harmful?

Imagine you are a professional monster whose job is scaring children. Describe your typical workday.

Think about a time when you were scaring yourself with your own thoughts. How did you calm down?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be both! As a present participle, it acts as a verb (e.g., 'He is scaring me'). As a gerund, it acts as a noun (e.g., 'Scaring is not nice').

They are very similar, but 'scaring' is often more informal and refers to sudden shocks. 'Frightening' can be more formal and describe a deeper sense of fear.

It is spelled S-C-A-R-I-N-G. Remember to use only one 'r' to avoid confusing it with 'scarring'.

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'I am scared of spiders.' 'Scaring' is the action you do to others, not how you feel.

It means making someone or something leave because they are afraid. For example, 'The dog is scaring off the cat.'

Yes, it is often used to describe how bad news or instability can make investors or customers leave. For example, 'The news is scaring off investors.'

A scarecrow is a human-like figure placed in a field to scare away birds from eating the crops.

While 'scary' is the standard adjective, 'scaring' can occasionally act as one in specific phrases, but it is much less common.

Yes, it is a very common word in everyday English, especially when talking about emotions, movies, or animals.

The past tense of the verb 'scare' is 'scared'. 'Scaring' is the present participle form.