Language/English/Grammar/Afraid

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.’

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.)