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Verb + preposition

How to use terrify with prepositions

Terrify usually takes a direct object. The cause of fear is commonly introduced with by.

Quick answer

Natural combinations with terrify

Use terrify + object to mean make someone very afraid. Use terrified of or terrified by with the adjective terrified. After the verb terrify, by can introduce the cause. Of, for, at, and about are generally not complements of the verb terrify.

The explosion terrified the children.
The children were terrified by the explosion.
She was terrified of snakes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
terrify + object

Making someone extremely afraid

Terrify is usually a transitive verb followed by a direct object.

The storm terrified local residents.
2
terrify + object + by + cause

Naming the cause of fear

By can introduce what causes the fear after the object.

The audience was terrified by the sudden noise.
3
terrified of + noun

Using the adjective terrified

Terrified of describes what someone fears.

He is terrified of heights.
4
terrified about + situation

Worrying about something

Terrified about is possible with situations or future events, especially in informal English.

She was terrified about losing her job.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
terrify + object
The film terrified the audience.
make someone very afraid
terrified by + cause
They were terrified by the earthquake.
describes the source of fear
terrified of + thing
He is terrified of spiders.
describes a fear
terrify of
They are terrified of the dark.
of normally follows the adjective terrified, not the verb terrify
terrify for
She feared for her family.
for is not a standard complement after terrify
terrify at
They were shocked at the news.
at is not normally used after terrify

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of directly after terrify

Use terrify + object, or use the adjective terrified of.

✕ The noise terrified of the baby. ✓ The noise terrified the baby.

Using for after terrify

For is not a normal complement after the verb terrify.

✕ The story terrified for the children. ✓ The story terrified the children.

Confusing verb and adjective patterns

Terrified can take of or about, but terrify usually cannot.

✕ The storm terrified about the tourists. ✓ The storm terrified the tourists.

Using at after terrify

At is uncommon after terrify.

✕ They terrified at the sight. ✓ They were terrified by the sight.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The loud crash ___ everyone in the room.
2. She is terrified ___ flying.
3. The children were terrified ___ the barking dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is terrify of correct?

Not usually. Use terrify + object or terrified of.

Can I say terrified about?

Yes, especially for anxiety about situations or future events.

What preposition follows terrified?

Of is most common, and by is used for the cause of fear.

tackle by, in, for, with or on? tack-on-onto-to-across, as "tag with" or "tag in"? tailor to, for, from, toward or towards? "taint by" or "taint with"? "take into", "take in" or "take to"? "talk about" or "talk to"? tally with, in, for, up or at? "tap into" or "tap on"? target at, by, for, to or in? tarnish by, in, with, after or as? "taste like", "taste of" or "taste in"?

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