afraid to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afraid to know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a fear or apprehension about discovering certain information or truths. Example: "She was afraid to know the results of the test, fearing the worst."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I'm afraid to know.

The New Yorker

"People are still ashamed to be tested, people are afraid to know they have HIV," the singer said.

Independent

He explained he wanted to teach kids "to believe in themselves, to not be afraid to know that the sky is the limit".

The Guardian - Sport

I suspect it's one of the key reasons we do dumb things with money; we're afraid to know why we do what we do, so we don't take the time to question our behavior.

The New York Times

I don't think about whether I'm at risk or not, said Hilda, I know that I was afraid to know someone with the disease, afraid of what I'd see, what I'd feel, and after the first day I came to the hospital I felt so relieved.

The New Yorker

I'm done with being afraid to know what our vulnerabilities are. .

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Don't be afraid to get to know the expert boxers.

Huffington Post

And Liberace was afraid for people to know who he loved.

Huffington Post

"Members of Congress are afraid to be known as the guy who took Thomas Jefferson off the nickel".

The New York Times

"Men are generally afraid to be known that they are HIV positive.

Globalization and Health

All politicians – a breed of person, I'm afraid, you will come to know only too well –  pay lip-service to the idea of equal opportunity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey: "afraid to know" suggests a stronger emotional response compared to simply "unwilling to know".

Common error

Avoid using "afraid to know" when a simple lack of interest or curiosity is the more appropriate sentiment. "Uninterested in knowing" is more fitting when there's no element of fear or dread involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afraid to know" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying an implied or stated subject. It expresses a state of being where someone experiences fear or apprehension about acquiring specific knowledge. Ludwig AI validates its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "afraid to know" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to articulate a sense of fear or apprehension about learning something. As shown by Ludwig, its neutral to informal register makes it versatile for various contexts, though it's less common in strictly formal or academic writing. Related phrases, such as "fearful of knowing" or "reluctant to learn", can offer subtle variations in emphasis. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where genuine dread or anxiety accompanies the prospect of gaining new information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fearful of knowing

Replaces "afraid" with its direct synonym "fearful", maintaining the exact meaning.

apprehensive about knowing

Substitutes "afraid" with "apprehensive", highlighting the anxiety related to the knowledge.

reluctant to learn

Focuses on the unwillingness to acquire knowledge, slightly shifting the emphasis.

dreading to find out

Emphasizes the anticipation of something unpleasant upon discovering the information.

hesitant to discover

Highlights the pause or delay in seeking knowledge due to fear or uncertainty.

unwilling to acknowledge

Shifts focus to the avoidance of accepting a truth, rather than just knowing it.

shrinking from the knowledge

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the act of avoiding something through fear.

preferring not to know

States a preference to remain ignorant, implying a conscious choice driven by fear or discomfort.

not wanting to be informed

Highlights the desire to not receive specific information, often because of anticipated negativity.

avoiding the truth

Focuses directly on the act of evading a known or suspected reality.

FAQs

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

You can use "afraid to know" to express apprehension about discovering something. For example, "I was "afraid to know" the diagnosis after the doctor's serious expression".

What's a synonym for "afraid to know"?

Alternatives to "afraid to know" include phrases like "fearful of knowing", "apprehensive about knowing", or "reluctant to learn". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "afraid to know"?

"Afraid to know" is appropriate when there is a genuine sense of fear or dread associated with the potential knowledge. It suggests that the information is expected to be unpleasant or upsetting.

Is there a more formal alternative to "afraid to know"?

While "afraid to know" is acceptable in many contexts, "apprehensive about knowing" might be considered slightly more formal, especially in professional or academic writing.