be afraid that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be afraid that' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used when expressing fear about the possibility of something happening. For example, "I'm afraid that I won't have enough money to buy a new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can't be afraid that something is too difficult.

Princeton University

"I'd be afraid that the blade could shatter".

The New York Times

Don't be afraid that someone is going to steal the idea.

Cornell University

Don't be afraid that your classmates won't want to share their contacts.

Cornell University

Consumers, of course, might be afraid that a casual glance could prompt an unintended action.

The New York Times

"I would be afraid that if I anger strangers that someone would retaliate," he said.

The New York Times

"I won't be afraid that, when I'm done playing ball, I won't have transferable skills".

The New York Times - Sports

Would you be afraid that the line would transform into an angry mob and pummel you?

The New York Times

"They are going to be afraid that this could all fall apart at any moment".

The Guardian

I was afraid everyone would be afraid that Neal would push their kid.

The New York Times - Arts

Some people will be afraid that the same thing will happen.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be afraid that" when you want to express a genuine feeling of fear or concern about a possible negative outcome. It's suitable for expressing personal anxieties or predicting potential problems.

Common error

Avoid using "be afraid of" when you want to express concern about a situation. "Be afraid of" is typically followed by a noun, while "be afraid that" is followed by a clause expressing the feared outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be afraid that" functions as a clause introducer, expressing a subjective feeling of fear, worry, or apprehension. It introduces a subordinate clause that specifies the content of the fear, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

24%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be afraid that" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing fear or concern about a possible outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and suitable for expressing personal anxieties or predicting potential problems, mainly showing up in news, academia and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that it is followed by a clause and not a noun; otherwise, "be afraid of" might be a better fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fear that

Shorter, more direct expression of fear; omits the auxiliary verb.

concerned that

Focuses on being troubled or uneasy about a possible event.

worry that

Emphasizes concern and anxiety about a potential outcome.

apprehensive that

Highlights a feeling of anxiety or dread about something in the future.

have concerns that

More formal way of expressing worry or apprehension.

harbor concerns that

Suggests a deep-seated worry or apprehension.

dread that

Suggests a strong aversion and fear towards a potential event.

uneasy about the possibility that

Expresses discomfort and uncertainty about a potential outcome.

have a suspicion that

Implies a negative expectation about a future event.

tremble at the thought that

Emphasizes a strong physical reaction of fear.

FAQs

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

Use "be afraid that" to introduce a clause expressing something you fear might happen. For instance, "I "be afraid that" it will rain tomorrow" expresses concern about potential rain.

What's the difference between "be afraid of" and "be afraid that"?

"Be afraid of" is followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., "I am afraid of spiders"). "Be afraid that" is followed by a clause expressing a feared situation (e.g., "I "be afraid that" I will fail the test").

What are some alternatives to "be afraid that"?

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

Is it correct to say "I am scary that" instead of "I "be afraid that""?

No, "I am scary that..." is not correct. "Scary" describes something that causes fear. The correct phrase is "I "be afraid that"...", indicating that you are experiencing fear or concern.