afraid to look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afraid to look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing fear or apprehension about seeing or confronting something, often related to an unpleasant or distressing situation. Example: "She was afraid to look at the results of the exam, fearing she might not have passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was afraid to look.

The New Yorker

I'm afraid to look under the rock".

The New York Times - Magazine

"He's not afraid to look stupid".

The New York Times

I'm a bit afraid to look at his next one.

The New York Times

"They're knuckleheads who aren't afraid to look ridiculous.

The New York Times - Arts

I think she's afraid to look at me.

The New Yorker

I was afraid to look directly at myself.

The Guardian - Books

"We're not afraid to look at our policies.

The New York Times

"We can't be afraid to look at legal tradition critically".

The New York Times

She was afraid to look someone in the eye".

The New York Times - Books

In Nigeria we are afraid to look back.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afraid to look" when you want to express reluctance or fear related to seeing something. It effectively conveys a sense of apprehension about what might be revealed.

Common error

Avoid using "afraid to look" in situations where simple lack of interest is the reason for not looking. The phrase implies a level of fear or anxiety, not just indifference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afraid to look" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject. It expresses a state of being in which someone is experiencing fear or apprehension about seeing something. Ludwig AI validates the correctness of the usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "afraid to look" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey fear or reluctance about seeing something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts like wikis. While alternatives like "scared to see" or "hesitant to glance" exist, "afraid to look" remains a clear and effective way to communicate this specific sentiment. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of writing styles and situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scared to see

Replaces "afraid" with "scared", a synonym with a slightly less formal tone.

hesitant to glance

Substitutes "afraid" with "hesitant" and "look" with "glance", suggesting a milder form of reluctance.

apprehensive about seeing

Expresses anxiety about what might be seen, using "apprehensive" to convey a more formal tone.

reluctant to observe

Replaces "afraid" with "reluctant" and "look" with "observe", indicating a formal and conscious decision to avoid watching.

wary of watching

Suggests caution and a desire to avoid something potentially dangerous or unpleasant, using "wary" and "watching".

uneasy about viewing

Uses "uneasy" instead of "afraid" and "viewing" instead of "look", indicating discomfort about seeing something.

terrified to gaze

Increases the intensity of fear by using "terrified" and "gaze", implying a strong emotional reaction.

dreading to witness

Emphasizes the anticipation of something unpleasant, using "dreading" and "witness" to convey a stronger negative emotion.

loath to behold

Conveys a strong aversion to seeing something, using "loath" and "behold" to create a more dramatic effect.

shrinking from the sight

Implies a physical reaction of recoiling from something unpleasant or frightening, using "shrinking from" and "sight".

FAQs

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

You can use "afraid to look" to express fear or reluctance about seeing something, as in "She was "afraid to look" at the bill, fearing it would be too high".

What are some alternatives to "afraid to look"?

Alternatives include "scared to see", "hesitant to glance", or "reluctant to observe", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "afraid to look" grammatically correct?

Yes, "afraid to look" is grammatically correct and follows standard English usage. It combines an adjective ("afraid") with an infinitive verb ("to look").

What is the difference between "afraid to look" and "scared to look"?

While both phrases convey a sense of fear, "afraid to look" is generally considered slightly more formal than "scared to look". The choice often depends on the tone and context of your writing.