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Jordi Jorge
Be afraid to do something / Be afraid of doing something (Which one is correct?)
I would like to know which of these two forms is the correct one to use "to be afraid to do something" or "to be afraid of doing something."
Examples:
1.a. I'm afraid to ask what it costs.
1.b. I'm afraid of asking what it costs.
2.a. I'm afraid to find out the truth.
2.b. I'm afraid of finding out the truth.
Jun 15, 2020 11:49 PM
Answers · 4
Thanks, Mariana.
June 16, 2020
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)
Source: Cambridge Dictionary/ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/afraid
June 16, 2020
Excellent! Thanks, Lucia.
June 16, 2020
I would say that neither are wrong or incorrect, but the second ones (1b and 2b) are slightly more natural sounding and would be how I would say it as a native English speaker. Again, you may hear either version in the US (not sure about other English speaking countries though).
June 16, 2020
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Jordi Jorge
Language Skills
English, Italian, Spanish
Learning Language
English
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