Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/Afraid"
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Safasamimiat (talk | contribs) (Created page with "'''Afraid:''' ''' ''' '''1. 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...") |
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<div style="font-size:300%;"> Afraid</div> | |||
==1. 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. | ||
'''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. | ||
==2. 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. | ||
'''Examples:''' | |||
*I’m afraid (that) I can’t help you. | |||
' | *I'm afraid (that) there’s been an accident. | ||
==3. 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’. | Afraid is one of the adjectives that are not usually used before a noun in ‘attributive position’. | ||
Jack’s afraid. Jack's a frightened man. (not an afraid man.) | '''Compare:''' | ||
*Jack’s afraid. Jack's a frightened man. (not an afraid man.) | |||
Revision as of 07:58, 6 May 2020
Afraid
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.)