feel afraid of

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel afraid of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of fear or trepidation about a certain thing. For example, "I feel afraid of going outside due to the coronavirus pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

I feel afraid of uncertainty.

The Guardian - Opinion

*Do you ever feel afraid of your partner?

The New York Times - Health

I always feel afraid of losing something, and I don't in the least know what it is".

The New York Times - Books

So by getting rid of the specific receptors for sensing the odour, mice never feel afraid of cats," Kobayakawa told Reuters.

The Guardian

I rolled chairs at the actor reading for the Soldier, trying to get him to feel afraid of his antagonist, the Devil.

The Guardian

Over coffee, the woman "told me so much of her own life, it actually made me feel afraid of myself", Furler says.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But he wasn't someone I felt afraid of". .

Huffington Post

"Friday was the first time I felt afraid of" civilians.

The Washington Post

She said individuals clearly felt afraid of coming forward.

The Guardian

According to her family, Attal had long felt afraid of Traoré.

The Guardian

In truth I felt afraid of groupthink or of being on the outside, being perceived as a voyeur.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel afraid of", ensure that the object of your fear is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "I feel afraid of public speaking" rather than simply "I feel afraid".

Common error

Avoid using "feel afraid of" with overly abstract nouns that don't represent tangible or conceivable threats. For example, saying "I feel afraid of success" is less effective than specifying what aspect of success causes fear, such as "I feel afraid of the responsibility that comes with success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel afraid of" functions as a verb phrase expressing a subjective emotional state. It connects the subject's feeling (fear) with the object or situation causing that fear. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel afraid of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express fear or apprehension as reported by Ludwig AI. It functions to communicate a personal emotional state, connecting the subject with the object of their fear. Its usage is versatile, fitting into both formal and informal contexts, but appears most frequently in news and media sources. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify the source of the fear. Alternatives include "feel apprehensive about" and "feel worried about", each carrying slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel apprehensive about

This alternative emphasizes a sense of unease or worry about something that might happen.

feel worried about

This expresses a state of concern or anxiety about a particular situation or person.

feel anxious about

This conveys a stronger sense of nervousness and agitation.

feel uneasy about

This suggests a lack of comfort or a slight sense of disquiet.

be fearful of

This alternative offers a more formal way to express the sentiment, emphasizing the state of being filled with fear.

be scared of

This term is more informal and denotes a sudden or intense feeling of fear.

dread

This expresses a strong feeling of apprehension or reluctance about something that is going to happen.

have a phobia of

This refers to an extreme or irrational fear of a particular thing or situation.

cower at

This alternative suggests a physical response of shrinking or trembling in fear.

tremble before

It suggests an even stronger feeling of fear to the point where one trembles.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel afraid of" to express a state of fear or apprehension about something. For example, "I "feel afraid of" heights" or "She "feels afraid of" the dark".

What are some alternatives to "feel afraid of"?

Alternatives to "feel afraid of" include "feel apprehensive about", "feel worried about", or "feel anxious about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel afraid from" instead of "feel afraid of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "feel afraid" is "of". "Feel afraid from" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""feel afraid of"".

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

"Feel afraid of" emphasizes the subjective experience of fear, while "be afraid of" is a more general statement about one's fears. They are often interchangeable, but ""feel afraid of"" highlights the emotional state.