he was afraid of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was afraid of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing someone's fear or apprehension about a specific situation, object, or idea. Example: "He was afraid of the dark, which made it difficult for him to sleep at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was afraid of flying.

The New Yorker

He was afraid of Manhattan.

The New York Times

He was afraid of spiders.

The Guardian - Books

"I figured he was afraid of it".

The Guardian

"I think he was afraid of me".

The New Yorker

He was afraid of catching tuberculosis.

The New Yorker

He was afraid of the mammoth responsibilities".

The New York Times - Food

I asked him if he was afraid of being caught.

The New Yorker

"And he was afraid of us," Fleischer added.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This time he said he was afraid of the elephant down there.

The New Yorker

He was afraid of Joe Frazier.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the object of the phrase "he was afraid of" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He was afraid of it", specify what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "he was afraid of" when a weaker term like "uncomfortable with" or "hesitant about" is more appropriate. Overstating fear can undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was afraid of" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes the subject's state of being, indicating that the subject experiences fear in relation to something. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was afraid of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate someone's fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears most commonly in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. Related phrases can offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments, and understanding common errors helps refine usage. Whether it's fear of flying or fear of responsibility, the phrase effectively conveys a subject's state of being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was scared of

Uses a more informal synonym "scared" for "afraid".

he had a fear of

Transforms the phrase to focus on the noun "fear" rather than the adjective "afraid".

he was terrified of

Replaces "afraid" with "terrified" for a stronger emphasis on fear.

he felt fear about

Replaces "was afraid" with "felt fear", emphasizing the emotion experienced.

he was petrified of

Emphasizes a more intense level of fear than "afraid".

he was apprehensive about

Replaces "afraid" with "apprehensive", suggesting a more formal and nuanced concern.

he dreaded

Uses a single verb to convey a strong sense of fear or apprehension about something imminent.

he shrank from

Implies a physical or emotional recoiling from something due to fear or dislike.

he was wary of

Suggests caution and distrust alongside fear, altering the tone slightly.

he avoided because of fear

Highlights avoidance as a direct result of fear, changing the sentence structure.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he was afraid of"?

Alternatives include "he felt fear about", "he had a fear of", or "he dreaded" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was afraid of"?

Yes, "he was afraid of" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard Subject-Verb-Complement structure in English.

How do I use "he was afraid of" in a sentence?

Use "he was afraid of" to express someone's fear or apprehension towards something. For instance, "He was afraid of heights" or "He was afraid of making a mistake".

What's the difference between "he was afraid of" and "he feared"?

"He was afraid of" is a more common and less formal way to express fear. "He feared" is more concise and often used in more formal contexts. Both are grammatically correct, but "he feared" might sound more literary or serious.