afraid to get

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afraid to get" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing fear or apprehension about obtaining or experiencing something. Example: "She was afraid to get on the roller coaster after hearing about the accidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm already afraid to get sick.

The New York Times

Not being afraid to get ugly.

Independent

To not be afraid to get close.

The New York Times

I am not afraid to get dirty.

Cornell University

"I'm afraid to get bored with myself.

The Guardian - Arts

Don't be afraid to get knocked back.

The Guardian

"Buyers are afraid to get caught.

The New York Times

WIFE: I'm not afraid to get other things dirty, either.

The New Yorker

"Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.

The New Yorker

And not afraid to get his claws out".

The New York Times

WIFE: Because I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "afraid to get", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject fears obtaining or experiencing. For example, "afraid to get involved", "afraid to get hurt", or "afraid to get sick".

Common error

Avoid using "afraid to get" without specifying what the fear relates to. Saying "I'm afraid to get" is incomplete; clarify the object of the fear. For example, specify "I'm afraid to get close" or "I'm afraid to get started" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afraid to get" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a state of apprehension or fear regarding a potential outcome or experience. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in diverse contexts, emphasizing a lack of willingness to engage due to fear of consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

58%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "afraid to get" is a versatile phrase used to express fear or apprehension about obtaining or experiencing something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across different contexts. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey a sense of reluctance or caution. While "afraid to get" is generally neutral, it's important to specify what the fear relates to in order to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "scared of receiving" and "apprehensive about acquiring". Remember to use the phrase accurately to communicate your intended meaning clearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scared of receiving

Replaces "afraid" with "scared" and "get" with "receiving", emphasizing the act of obtaining something with fear.

apprehensive about acquiring

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "afraid" with "apprehensive" and "get" with "acquiring", focusing on the anticipation of obtaining something with anxiety.

uneasy about obtaining

Replaces "afraid" with "uneasy" and "get" with "obtaining", highlighting the feeling of discomfort or anxiety associated with acquiring something.

fearful of contracting

Specifies the fear related to acquiring a disease or illness, replacing "get" with "contracting".

worried about incurring

Focuses on the fear of acquiring negative consequences or costs, using "incurring" instead of "get".

hesitant to accept

Emphasizes the reluctance to receive or take something due to fear or uncertainty, replacing "afraid" with "hesitant" and "get" with "accept".

reluctant to undergo

Highlights the resistance to experiencing something, particularly a process or procedure, replacing "get" with "undergo".

dread acquiring

Uses a stronger term, "dread", to express intense fear or apprehension about obtaining something, replacing "get" with "acquiring".

disinclined to procure

Uses formal vocabulary to convey a lack of desire to obtain something due to fear or aversion, replacing "afraid" with "disinclined" and "get" with "procure".

nervous about facing

Focuses on the anxiety related to confronting a situation or experience, replacing "get" with "facing".

FAQs

How can I use "afraid to get" in a sentence?

Use "afraid to get" to express fear or apprehension about experiencing or obtaining something. For example, "I'm "afraid to get sick"" or "Don't be "afraid to get involved"".

What are some alternatives to "afraid to get"?

You can use phrases like "scared of receiving", "apprehensive about acquiring", or "uneasy about obtaining" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I'm afraid to get" without specifying what I'm afraid of?

While grammatically correct, it's better to specify what you're afraid of to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "I'm afraid to get", say "I'm "afraid to get close"".

What's the difference between "afraid to get" and "scared to get"?

The difference is subtle; "afraid" is generally considered slightly more formal than "scared", but they are largely interchangeable in most contexts. Both phrases express a similar feeling of fear or apprehension.