afraid to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afraid to go" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing fear or hesitation about leaving a place or situation. Example: "She was afraid to go outside during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Afraid to go it alone?

The New York Times

People really were afraid to go out.

The New York Times

"I'm afraid to go in there".

The New York Times

I'm even afraid to go inside".

The New Yorker

Farmers are afraid to go to markets.

The Economist

He was always afraid to go back".

The New Yorker

He wasn't afraid to go low".

The New York Times - Sports

They weren't afraid to go off script.

Harvard University

I'm not afraid to go for balls.

Independent

I was afraid to go to sleep.

The New York Times

Don't be afraid to go at people".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general feeling of fear or anxiety about an action, use "afraid to go" to clearly communicate the hesitation or reluctance associated with it.

Common error

Avoid using "afraid to go" when a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "afraid to go", specify the exact action causing the fear: "afraid to speak", "afraid to ask", or "afraid to look".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afraid to go" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject, typically expressing a state of being. It often appears after a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'was', 'are') to describe someone's emotional state concerning a particular action. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

18%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "afraid to go" is a common and grammatically correct way to express fear or reluctance about undertaking a journey or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academic writing, and informal communications. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's essential to consider whether a more specific verb might provide greater clarity. Alternatives such as "scared to venture" or "hesitant to proceed" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scared to venture

Replaces "go" with "venture", implying a sense of risk or uncertainty in the act of going.

apprehensive about going

Uses "apprehensive" to convey a sense of anxiety or dread about the prospect of going.

hesitant to proceed

Focuses on the hesitation aspect, suggesting a pause or reluctance before moving forward.

uneasy about leaving

Highlights the feeling of unease associated with the act of leaving a place or situation.

reluctant to depart

Emphasizes the unwillingness to leave, using a more formal word choice.

daunted by the prospect of going

Highlights the feeling of being intimidated or overwhelmed by the idea of going somewhere.

wary of venturing

Implies caution and a sense of potential danger in the act of going somewhere.

not keen on going

Expresses a lack of enthusiasm or interest in going, using a more informal tone.

disinclined to move

Focuses on the lack of inclination or desire to move or go anywhere.

shrinking from the idea of leaving

Implies a physical or emotional withdrawal from the thought of leaving.

FAQs

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

You can use "afraid to go" to express a feeling of fear or reluctance about leaving or venturing somewhere. For example, "After the incident, she was "afraid to go" out alone at night."

What are some alternatives to "afraid to go"?

Some alternatives include "scared to venture", "hesitant to proceed", or "reluctant to depart", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "scared to go" instead of "afraid to go"?

Yes, "scared to go" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "afraid to go". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of fear or apprehension.

What's the difference between "afraid to go" and "unwilling to go"?

"Afraid to go" implies a feeling of fear or anxiety, while "unwilling to go" suggests a lack of desire or a conscious decision not to go, possibly due to reasons other than fear.