she is afraid that

USAGE SUMMARY

"she is afraid that" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when introducing a clause in the middle of a sentence that is expressing a feeling of fear on the part of the subject. For example, "She is afraid that her plans for the weekend will be ruined if it rains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Suddenly, she is afraid that he has left her.

The New Yorker

She is afraid that next year there will be many incredulous faces & loud cries.

The New Yorker

But she is afraid that even this relative calm may not last.

The Economist

Tells her she is afraid that he is going to kill himself.

The New Yorker

She is afraid that should something happen to Mack, she could lost custody of their children.

The Guardian

She cannot tell him what she really feels, but she is afraid that she doesn't deserve him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Now she was afraid that her granddaughter had been right.

The New Yorker

She was afraid that people wouldn't get the point.

The New Yorker

She was afraid that if she did she'd never get to play there again.

The New Yorker

He knew she was afraid of snobbery — she was afraid that she had caught it from her parents.

The New Yorker

Ms. Tepper said she participated because she was afraid that people would move on after 9/11.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she is afraid that", ensure that the following clause clearly articulates the specific source of her fear or concern for maximum clarity and impact. For example, "She is afraid that the project will fail if deadlines are not met."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently when using "she is afraid that". If the fear is present, maintain a consistent present or future tense in the following clause. Incorrect: "She is afraid that he missed the train yesterday." Correct: "She is afraid that he will miss the train today."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she is afraid that" functions as a clause introducer, specifically indicating a subject's apprehension or fear regarding a subsequent statement or potential event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in expressing a feeling of fear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she is afraid that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a subject's fear or apprehension, Ludwig confirms. Its versatility is evident across diverse contexts, from news reporting to fictional narratives. While maintaining a primarily neutral register, it finds frequent use in media, wiki entries, and scientific publications. For more formal scenarios, related alternatives such as "she is concerned that" or "she fears that" could be considered. Using the best practices, it's always a good idea to specify the precise reason for fear for maximal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she is worried that

Replaces "afraid" with "worried", indicating a lighter degree of concern.

she is scared that

Substitutes "afraid" with "scared", indicating a more visceral and immediate sense of fear.

she is concerned that

Substitutes "afraid" with "concerned", suggesting a more thoughtful consideration of potential negative consequences.

she fears that

Replaces the phrase "is afraid" with the single word "fears", creating a more direct and slightly more formal tone.

she is apprehensive that

Uses "apprehensive" instead of "afraid", implying a more anticipatory and nuanced sense of unease.

she is anxious that

Replaces "afraid" with "anxious", focusing on the mental distress and unease associated with the potential outcome.

she is terrified that

Replaces "afraid" with "terrified", indicating a much stronger and more intense level of fear.

she dreads that

Uses "dreads" to convey a strong feeling of aversion and anticipation of something unpleasant.

she has a fear that

Changes the structure to emphasize the existence of a fear as a feeling.

she is uneasy that

Implies a feeling of discomfort and insecurity, less intense than fear but still concerning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she is afraid that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "she is concerned that" or "she fears that". These alternatives offer a slightly elevated level of formality while retaining the same core meaning.

What are some common synonyms for "afraid" in the phrase "she is afraid that"?

Common synonyms include "worried", "scared", "anxious", and "apprehensive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "she is afraid of that" instead of "she is afraid that"?

While grammatically correct, "she is afraid of that" typically refers to a general fear or a specific object, whereas "she is afraid that" introduces a clause expressing a specific concern or potential outcome. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

Can "she is afraid that" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "she is afraid that" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing, especially when analyzing characters' motivations in literature or discussing potential negative consequences of policies or actions. However, maintain a formal tone and ensure clarity in your writing.