afraid of making

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afraid of making" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing fear or apprehension about the act of creating or doing something. Example: "She was afraid of making a mistake during her presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were always afraid of making mistakes".

The Guardian

"I ain't afraid of making a baby".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was afraid of making a mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can't be afraid of making mistakes".

The New York Times - Sports

They are not afraid of making mistakes.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is not afraid of making Rudy a royal pain.

The New York Times

I was just too afraid of making those close bonds.

The Guardian

But, afraid of making a mistake, I did nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

You're not afraid of making enemies, are you, I ask.

The Guardian - Film

Clearly Mr. Bove is not afraid of making enemies.

The New York Times

They keep their heads down, their opinions to themselves, and are afraid of making mistakes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afraid of making" when you want to directly address the feeling of trepidation someone is experiencing when undertaking a task that could result in something undesirable.

Common error

Avoid overusing "afraid of making" in situations where a simple lack of skill or experience is the primary issue. Sometimes, "hesitant to try" or "unsure how to proceed" might be more accurate than implying a genuine fear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afraid of making" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of fear or apprehension concerning the act of creation or action. Ludwig shows its broad applicability across various communicative scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

19%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Huffington Post

6%

Independent

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "afraid of making" is a versatile phrase used to convey apprehension or fear related to the act of creating or doing something. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from news reports and business documents to personal reflections. Understanding the subtle differences between "afraid of making" and related phrases like "hesitant to produce" or "apprehensive about generating" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. By considering common errors and embracing its proper usage, you can effectively communicate feelings of unease or caution in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scared to devise

Emphasizes fear related to devising or planning something.

apprehensive about creating

Focuses on the feeling of apprehension or anxiety specifically related to creating something.

concerned about developing

Focuses on the worry or concern related to developing or elaborating on something.

hesitant to produce

Highlights the hesitation or reluctance to produce or generate something.

reluctant to construct

Emphasizes the reluctance or unwillingness to build or assemble something.

dreading the creation of

Focuses on anticipating something negative regarding the process of creation.

wary of generating

Suggests a cautious or guarded approach towards generating something, implying a potential risk.

uneasy about crafting

Conveys a feeling of unease or discomfort associated with crafting or shaping something.

nervous about originating

Highlights the nervousness or anxiety linked to originating or initiating something.

timid about forming

Conveys a sense of timidity or lack of confidence in forming or shaping something.

FAQs

How can I use "afraid of making" in a sentence?

You can use "afraid of making" to describe someone's hesitation or fear related to doing something, such as "She was "afraid of making" a mistake" or "He's "afraid of making" a commitment".

What's the difference between "afraid of making" and "scared of making"?

While "afraid" and "scared" are often interchangeable, "scared" can imply a more intense, immediate fear, whereas "afraid" might suggest a more general sense of apprehension. The choice often depends on the specific context and the degree of fear you want to express.

What can I say instead of "afraid of making"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hesitant to create", "reluctant to produce", or "apprehensive about generating" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to be "afraid of making mistakes" or to embrace them?

While it's natural to be "afraid of making" mistakes, especially when outcomes are important, many sources advise embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. Being too afraid can stifle creativity and progress.