afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "afraid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express fear or anxiety about something. For example: I am afraid of heights.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People are afraid".

The New York Times

"Are you afraid?

The New York Times

I am afraid these hopes will be dashed too.

The Guardian

I think that to have Peter on board has given me the courage to be less afraid about standing up on this issue".

The Guardian

He was afraid that independence would lose, while devo max – just a few inches short of full independence – was clearly favoured in opinion polls.

The Guardian

It went online on a Sunday, but it was only the following day, a work day, that a reader asked him if he'd thought about warning unsuspecting readers that the photo made the article NSFW – Not Safe For Work. "They explained," recalled Ebert, "that they read the column at work ("during lunch break", of course) and were afraid a supervisor or co-worker might see a nude on their monitor.

The Guardian

Even after I escaped from them and live far away from my village, I am still afraid.

The Guardian

All I've done this year is really to set myself free from those limiting beliefs and just go forward with confidence and stick it to a few people, and not be afraid to do so.

The Guardian - Sport

This also reflects the Guardian brand, which whilst serious at times is also not afraid to be fun and playful.

The Guardian

"I am afraid we get quite a lot of complaints from members of the public who say, for example, 'When I was 14, I had my tonsils removed and I believe that MI5 implanted electronic equipment in me.' "Very often the sign is whether they are resident in a mental institution.

The Guardian

But the girls of Swat aren't afraid of anyone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing regret, use "I'm afraid" followed by the statement of what you regret. For example, "I'm afraid I can't help you with that."

Common error

Avoid using "afraid" to describe something that causes fear; use "scary" or "frightening" instead. For instance, say "That movie was scary", not "That movie was afraid".

Linguistic Context

"Afraid" functions primarily as a predicative adjective, describing the state of being filled with fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms that "afraid" is used to express a feeling of fear or anxiety. It is often followed by "of" + noun phrase or "to" + verb, as seen in the examples 'afraid of death' and 'afraid to die'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "afraid" is a versatile adjective primarily used to express fear, anxiety, or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and widely used term, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, context dictates its specific nuance. To use it effectively, express regret using "I'm afraid", but avoid using "afraid" to describe something scary—use "scary" instead. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently use "afraid" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fearful

Emphasizes the feeling of fear itself.

scared

A more informal way to express fear.

frightened

Similar to scared, but can imply a sudden shock.

apprehensive

Suggests anxiety about something that might happen.

anxious

Highlights worry and unease.

worried

Focuses on concern and anxiety.

uneasy

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

terrified

Indicates a high degree of fear.

concerned

Indicates a more thoughtful form of worry.

intimidated

Highlights fear caused by someone or something powerful.

FAQs

How can I use "afraid" in a sentence?

"Afraid" is typically used to describe someone experiencing fear. For example, "I am "afraid of heights"" or "She was "afraid to speak"".

What are some alternatives to saying "I'm afraid" when expressing bad news?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I regret to inform you", "unfortunately", or "I have bad news" instead of "I'm afraid".

What is the difference between "afraid" and "fearful"?

While both words relate to fear, "afraid" is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while "fearful" can sound more formal or intense. They are often interchangeable but may have slightly different connotations depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I'm afraid that"?

"I'm afraid that" is a polite way to introduce bad news, disagreement, or refusal. For example, "I'm afraid that "I can't make it"" or "I'm afraid that "I disagree"".