I’m scared of cats<\/p>\n
I’m scared by cats<\/p>\n
Both are technically correct but they are different and one is more commonly used.<\/p>\n
I’m scared of spiders = I’m afraid in general\u00a0 <\/strong>(this is the most common sentence)<\/p>\n I’m scared by spiders = Spiders give me a shock (ok but not a usual sentence<\/strong>)<\/p>\n Generally, we use “scared by” in the past,<\/strong> not in the present tense.\u00a0 The scare is one time, not in general.<\/p>\n It was dark.\u00a0 He walked through the park.\u00a0 He was scared by<\/strong> the sound of the wind.\u00a0 He started to run.<\/p>\n He doesn’t like bugs. He’s especially afraid of<\/strong> spiders.<\/p>\n o: He was shocked by<\/strong> the way she spoke to him.\u00a0 So rude!<\/p>\n x: He was shocked of <\/strong>the way she spoke to him.\u00a0 So rude!<\/p>\n Sometimes you can use either and the difference is subtle.<\/p>\n She was<\/strong> scared of<\/strong> the stream chat, they said horrible things. (In general, but in the past)<\/p>\n She was<\/strong> scared by<\/strong> the stream chat, they said horrible things. (Scared by one event in the past)<\/p>\n She is<\/strong> scared of<\/strong> the stream chat, they say horrible things. (She doesn’t like them in general)<\/p>\n