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Afraid

Afraid meaning ‘feeling fear’​

Afraid as an adjective means ‘feeling fear’. We use it with of + noun, of + -ing form, a *to-*infinitive or a that-clause:

  • Are you afraid of the dark? (of + noun)
  • She seemed afraid of walking home alone. (of + -ing form)
  • If you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask. (to-infinitive)
  • They looked afraid that we might get lost in the city centre. (that-clause)
warning

We only use afraid after a verb such as be, seem, become, not before a noun (predicatively):

  • Her mother is very ill and afraid.
  • Not: Her afraid mother
See also
  • Adjectives: order

Afraid: softening​

We also use to be afraid in phrases such as afraid that, afraid to say, afraid not and afraid so when we want to soften statements to avoid saying something too directly. We often use these expressions to respond to bad news, or when we are sorry about something. Be afraid not and be afraid so are only used as responses:

  • I’m afraid that we can’t agree to your proposal.
  • A: Is it right that she has resigned?
  • B: We’re afraid to say she has.
  • A: Did your team win?
  • B: I’m afraid not.
  • A: Is the shop closed?
  • B: I’m afraid so.
See also
  • Hedges (just)
  • Politeness