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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
afraid competition
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "afraid competition" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "afraid of competition"? If this is the case, you can use it when expressing fear or apprehension regarding competing against others in a particular context, such as business or sports. Example: "She was afraid of competition and hesitated to enter the tournament."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
'Naked and afraid' competition on Discovery strips suvival down.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
"We are not afraid of competition, but we want fair competition," Wood said.
News & Media
When a user suggested that he was afraid of competition, he added that it's, "not called competition when you have everyone doing the same thing.
News & Media
She's afraid of competition.
News & Media
"They are afraid of competition, they are afraid of development".
News & Media
only if it is afraid of competition.
News & Media
"He's obviously not afraid of competition," Stoker said.
News & Media
"He's definitely not afraid of competition," Nets Coach Lawrence Frank said.
News & Media
"They aren't afraid of competition or upsetting the system.
News & Media
Vladimir Kara-Murza: If Putin is so popular, why is he so afraid of competition?
News & Media
"I'm not afraid of competition, but I think it was wrong".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use the preposition "of" after "afraid" when expressing fear related to something, such as "afraid of competition". Using "afraid" without "of" is grammatically incorrect.
Common error
Avoid saying "afraid competition"; instead, use the correct phrase "afraid of competition". The preposition "of" is necessary to properly link the adjective "afraid" with the noun "competition".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "afraid competition" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form, "afraid of competition", functions as an adjective phrase describing a state of being fearful, with "of competition" acting as a prepositional phrase modifying "afraid". As Ludwig AI points out, the preposition 'of' is essential for grammatical correctness.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Wiki
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "afraid competition" is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "afraid of competition". Ludwig AI analysis underscores the importance of the preposition "of" to properly link the adjective "afraid" to the noun "competition". The phrase is used to express fear or apprehension concerning competitive situations, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. While sources using the phrase are authoritative, the grammatical error significantly impacts its credibility. Remember to always include the preposition "of" when expressing this sentiment.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
fearful of competition
Replaces "afraid" with its direct synonym "fearful", maintaining the original structure and meaning.
apprehensive about competition
Uses "apprehensive" to convey a sense of anxiety about competition, changing the emotional tone slightly.
worried about competition
Replaces "afraid" with "worried", suggesting a lighter level of concern regarding the competition.
intimidated by competition
Emphasizes the feeling of being overwhelmed by competition, shifting the focus to the impact of competition.
uneasy about competition
Expresses a feeling of discomfort related to competition, focusing on the emotional response.
concerned about competition
Indicates a sense of responsibility or involvement related to competition, altering the emotional tone.
daunted by the competition
Suggests being discouraged or losing confidence due to the scale or intensity of the competition.
challenged by the competition
Focuses on the difficulty and demands imposed by competition.
competitive anxiety
More technical/scientific way to refer to the anxiety of competition, suitable in formal contexts.
competition-averse
Describes an inclination to avoid competition, changing the expression from a feeling to a disposition.
FAQs
What's the correct way to say you have fear of competing?
The correct way to express fear of competing is to say "afraid of competition". The phrase "afraid competition" is grammatically incorrect.
What can I say instead of "afraid of competition"?
You can use alternatives like "fearful of competition", "apprehensive about competition", or "intimidated by competition" depending on the specific feeling you want to convey.
Which is correct, "afraid of competition" or "afraid competition"?
"Afraid of competition" is correct. "Afraid competition" omits the necessary preposition "of", making it grammatically incorrect.
Is "scared of competition" the same as "afraid of competition"?
Yes, "scared of competition" is very similar in meaning to "afraid of competition". Both phrases express a feeling of fear or apprehension towards competing.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested