Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/Afraid"
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== | ==Afraid and fear== | ||
In an informal style, be afraid is more common than fear. | In an informal style, be afraid is more common than fear. | ||
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== | ==I'm afraid = I'm sorry== | ||
I'm afraid (that) often means "I'm sorry to tell you (that)". It is used to introduce apologetic refusals and bad news. | I'm afraid (that) often means "I'm sorry to tell you (that)". It is used to introduce apologetic refusals and bad news. | ||
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*I'm afraid (that) there’s been an accident. | *I'm afraid (that) there’s been an accident. | ||
== | ==I ’m afraid so/not are used as short answers.== | ||
Revision as of 07:58, 6 May 2020
Afraid
Afraid and fear
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
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.
Examples:
- ‘Can you lend me a pound?’ ‘I ’m afraid not.’
- ‘It’s going to rain.’ ‘Yes, I ’m afraid so.’
4. afraid should not be used before a noun
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.)