Language/English/Grammar/Afraid
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Afraid
Afraid and fear[edit | edit source]
In an informal style, be afraid is more common than fear.
Examples:
- Don’t be afraid. (not Don’t fear)
- She's afraid that I might find out.
- Are you afraid of the dark?
- I'm not afraid to say what I think.
I'm afraid = I'm sorry[edit | edit source]
I'm afraid (that) often means "I'm sorry to tell you (that)". It is used to introduce apologetic refusals and bad news.
Examples:
- I’m afraid (that) I can’t help you.
- I'm afraid (that) there’s been an accident.
I ’m afraid so/not are used as short answers.[edit | edit source]
Examples:
- ‘Can you lend me a pound?’ ‘I ’m afraid not.’
- ‘It’s going to rain.’ ‘Yes, I ’m afraid so.’
Afraid should not be used before a noun[edit | edit source]
Afraid is one of the adjectives that are not usually used before a noun in ‘attributive position’.
Compare:
- Jack’s afraid. Jack's a frightened man. (not an afraid man.)
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS
- GERUNDS
- Linking with And But So
- How Some pointers when using Adjectives
- Collocations with pay
- Possible Positions of Adverbs in a Sentence
- Tenses
- Irregular Verbs
- Ask
- Introduce yourself