being afraid of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being afraid of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of fear or apprehension towards something or someone. Example: "She admitted to being afraid of public speaking, which made her anxious during presentations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that's being afraid of change.

The New York Times - Books

"I called it being afraid of my desk.

The New York Times

Being afraid of it doesn't help one bit.

The New Yorker

You talk of people being afraid of him.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't remember being afraid of anything in making films," she said.

The New York Times

She bravely reinterpreted Islam and accused the extremists of being afraid of books, pens and education.

The New York Times

Like so many other Egyptians, Badawi seemed simply to have stopped being afraid of authority.

The New Yorker

Imagine being afraid of medical treatment, then struggling to describe your symptoms in an unfamiliar language.

The New York Times

"She never confided to her sister or best friend about being afraid of him.

The New Yorker

The respect turns into being afraid of what they can do to you".

The New York Times

One asexual who certainly can't be accused of being afraid of sex is Holland.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being afraid of" to clearly express a feeling of fear or apprehension towards a specific object, person, or situation. Ensure the context is clear and the subject of fear is well-defined.

Common error

Avoid replacing "of" with other prepositions like "from" or omitting it entirely. The correct construction is "being afraid of" followed by the object of fear. Incorrect: "being afraid something". Correct: "being afraid of something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being afraid of" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of fear or apprehension. According to Ludwig, this phrase accurately conveys a feeling of fear towards something. It connects a subject to a feeling of fear, as demonstrated in examples like "Imagine "being afraid of" medical treatment..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being afraid of" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to express a state of fear or apprehension. Ludwig confirms its wide applicability and correctness. It is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing. The phrase can be effectively used to describe feelings towards various subjects, with common alternatives including ""having a fear of"" and ""feeling scared of"". When using this phrase, ensure that the preposition "of" is correctly included and that the subject of fear is clearly defined. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a fear of

Replaces the gerund form with a noun phrase.

feeling scared of

Substitutes "afraid" with "scared", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

apprehensive about

Uses a more formal term to express anxiety or unease.

anxious about

Emphasizes the worry or concern associated with the subject.

uneasy about

Highlights a lack of comfort or security.

worried about

Focuses on the concern and potential negative outcomes.

having reservations about

Indicates doubts or hesitations regarding something.

dreading the thought of

Expresses strong aversion or anticipation of something unpleasant.

reluctant to

Highlights unwillingness or hesitation to do something due to fear or discomfort.

hesitant about

Indicates a pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear.

FAQs

How can I use "being afraid of" in a sentence?

You can use "being afraid of" to express fear or apprehension towards something. For example, "She admitted to "having a fear of" public speaking" or "He confessed to "feeling scared of" heights".

What are some alternatives to "being afraid of"?

Some alternatives include "having a fear of", "feeling scared of", "apprehensive about", or "anxious about", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "being afraid to" instead of "being afraid of"?

While "being afraid of" is generally followed by a noun or gerund, "being afraid to" is followed by an infinitive verb. For example, "being afraid of the dark" versus "being afraid to go out at night". The choice depends on whether you're referring to a thing or an action.

What's the difference between "being afraid of" and "feeling anxious about"?

"Being afraid of" typically implies a more direct sense of fear, while "feeling anxious about" suggests a broader sense of worry or unease. "Being afraid of" often relates to specific phobias or immediate threats, whereas "feeling anxious about" can refer to future possibilities or uncertainties.