please be afraid of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please be afraid of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a request for someone to feel fear or apprehension towards something specific. Example: "In this horror movie, the director wants the audience to please be afraid of the dark figure lurking in the shadows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Be afraid, please be afraid of me," sings the composer and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain in "Symphony for the Dance Floor," his latest evening-length cross-genre amalgam.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Please don't be afraid of getting into one of these yourself, especially if your lover is a world away in New Zealand or out on tour or shooting a movie in an exotic location for six months.

Huffington Post

Please let us not be afraid of those outlaws that are fighting Islam and Muslims, because God is with us.

The New York Times

"Please do not let yourself be afraid of me or of taking some kind of blind chance, or what people think... because this could be so great".

The New Yorker

Please be sure not to be afraid of using pain medicines.

WikiHow

Apparently they haven't read the city's Dogs in Parks brochure, which advises, among many guidelines: "Please remember that other park visitors may be afraid of your dog" and "Do not allow your dog to run and jump on other people or dogs without an invitation".

The New York Times

What they were trying to say was "please don't turn off, there's nothing to be afraid of".

The Guardian - Books

Don't be afraid of hurting your servant when they don't please you.

WikiHow

Be afraid of not trying.

TechCrunch

Why be afraid of negotiation?

Science Magazine

[13] So don't be afraid of fighting against difficulties.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "please be afraid of", ensure that the context clearly identifies what the subject should fear and why. This clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "please be afraid of" in situations where mild concern or caution is more appropriate. Overusing it can sound melodramatic or alarmist, diminishing the impact of genuine warnings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please be afraid of" functions as an imperative or directive, urging the listener or reader to experience fear or apprehension toward a specified subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "please be afraid of" is a grammatically sound construction used to evoke fear or caution in an audience. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correctness in written English. Its usage is more common in creative and expressive contexts, like news, wiki and science, rather than formal settings. While not highly frequent, it's understood and correctly used. Related phrases such as "please fear" or "do be wary of" can provide alternative ways to express similar sentiments with varying degrees of intensity and formality. When using "please be afraid of", ensure the context supports a strong emotional appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please fear

Direct synonym; removes the auxiliary verb "be" and adjective "afraid", making it more concise but potentially starker.

do be wary of

Replaces "afraid" with "wary", suggesting caution and vigilance rather than fear.

please be cautious of

Substitutes "afraid" with "cautious", emphasizing carefulness and prudence.

please dread

Uses "dread" instead of "afraid", implying a stronger feeling of apprehension.

please be apprehensive about

Replaces "afraid" with "apprehensive", suggesting anxiety or unease about something.

please be concerned about

Shifts the focus to concern, indicating worry rather than fear.

exercise caution

A more general recommendation to be careful.

be on your guard

Implies a need to be vigilant and prepared for potential threats.

regard with suspicion

Suggests distrust and skepticism.

treat with caution

Advises handling something carefully to avoid potential harm.

FAQs

How can I use "please be afraid of" in a sentence?

Use "please be afraid of" when you want to evoke a sense of fear or caution towards something specific. For example, "In this horror movie, the director wants the audience to please be afraid of the dark figure lurking in the shadows."

What are some alternatives to saying "please be afraid of"?

You can use alternatives like "please fear", "do be wary of", or "please be cautious of" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "please be afraid of" in formal writing?

While not strictly informal, "please be afraid of" is more common in creative writing or situations where a strong emotional impact is desired. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "exercise caution" or "be wary of" for a more professional tone.

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

Adding "please" makes the statement a request or an invitation to feel fear, rather than a simple observation that someone is afraid. It can be used to heighten suspense or emphasize a warning.