are afraid that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are afraid that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing fear or concern about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "Many people are afraid that the new policy will negatively impact their jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Remember, Jews are afraid that Christians feel compelled to convert us.

The New York Times

Why? Are TANF enrollments declining because Hispanic immigrants are afraid that enrollment will lead to deportation?

Stanford University

"People are afraid that they're stupid.

The Guardian

"People are afraid that the events might get bigger.

The New York Times

"We are afraid that maybe it becomes worse".

The New York Times

"They are afraid that you will get lost".

The New Yorker

"People are afraid that it will be worse than before".

The New York Times

They are afraid that I'm going to fire them.

The New York Times

Most companies are afraid that online conversations are mainly negative.

The Guardian

They are afraid that an accident may happen".

The Guardian

They are afraid that their own population will be corrupted".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are afraid that", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the subject experiencing the fear and the specific outcome they fear. For example, "Scientists are afraid that climate change will lead to more extreme weather events".

Common error

Avoid using "are afraid that" when making a direct request or expressing a desire for something. Instead of saying "I am afraid that you need to submit the report", use a more direct and polite request like "Please submit the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are afraid that" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of fear, worry, or concern. It typically introduces a subordinate clause that specifies the object or cause of the fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common presence across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are afraid that" is a common and grammatically correct way to express fear or concern about a particular situation or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely used across various domains, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both the subject experiencing the fear and the object of their fear. While versatile, avoid using it in direct requests; instead, opt for more polite and direct language. Alternatives like "fear that", "are concerned that", and "are worried that" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fear that

A more direct and concise way to express fear or concern.

are scared that

Similar to "are frightened that", but often used in a more informal context.

are frightened that

Indicates a higher degree of fear or alarm.

are apprehensive that

Indicates a feeling of anxiety or fear that something unpleasant might happen; more formal.

are anxious that

Expresses worry or unease about a potential outcome; similar in intensity to "are afraid that".

dread that

Expresses a strong feeling of apprehension or fear about something that is going to happen.

are worried that

Conveys concern about a possible negative result; slightly less intense than "are afraid that".

are concerned that

Implies a sense of worry or unease, often about something specific.

are uneasy that

Suggests a mild feeling of discomfort or apprehension.

have concerns that

Highlights the presence of specific worries or anxieties.

FAQs

How can I use "are afraid that" in a sentence?

Use "are afraid that" to express a feeling of worry or apprehension about a possible outcome. For example: "They "are afraid that" the new policy will negatively impact their jobs".

What can I say instead of "are afraid that"?

You can use alternatives like "fear that", "are concerned that", or "are worried that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are afraid that" or "is afraid that"?

"Are afraid that" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "are afraid that"..."), while "is afraid that" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "She "is afraid that"...").

What's the difference between "are afraid that" and "are anxious that"?

Both express worry, but "are anxious that" often implies a higher level of unease or nervousness compared to ""are afraid that"".