she was afraid to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was afraid to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's fear or hesitation to take a specific action. Example: "She was afraid to speak in front of the large audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was afraid to eat.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was afraid to fly.

The New York Times

She was afraid to leave her porch.

The New York Times - Sports

She was afraid to tell her mother.

The New York Times - Health

She was afraid to call her doctor.

The New York Times

At first she was afraid to fall.

The New Yorker

But she was afraid to say yes.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, she was afraid to tell her father.

The New York Times

After that, she was afraid to be home alone.

The New York Times

"She was afraid to do any of her tricks.

The New York Times - Sports

She was afraid to look someone in the eye".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was afraid to", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or reason for the fear. Providing specific details about what she feared and why enhances the reader's understanding and creates a more compelling narrative.

Common error

Avoid incorrectly using "she was afraid of" followed by a verb. "She was afraid of doing" is correct, while "she was afraid of do" is grammatically incorrect. Use "she was afraid to do" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was afraid to" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a character's reluctance or fear in undertaking a specific action. This can be confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was afraid to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express fear or reluctance. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts and is generally considered neutral in register. Remember to follow best practices by providing specific details about the source of fear and avoid the common error of using "she was afraid of" incorrectly. The provided alternatives, such as "she hesitated to" and "she was reluctant to", offer subtle nuances in meaning, allowing for more precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was scared to

A direct synonym, replacing "afraid" with "scared" for emphasis.

she hesitated to

Focuses on the hesitation aspect, suggesting a pause before acting due to uncertainty or fear.

she was reluctant to

Emphasizes unwillingness, implying a resistance to the action due to discomfort or fear.

she dreaded to

Highlights the anticipation of something unpleasant, making the action something to be feared.

she was unwilling to

Focuses on a lack of willingness, suggesting a conscious decision not to act due to fear or other reasons.

she felt apprehensive about

Shifts the focus to a feeling of anxiety or unease regarding a future event or action.

she lacked the courage to

Emphasizes a lack of bravery as the reason for inaction.

she had misgivings about

Highlights doubts or concerns, implying a lack of confidence in the action or its potential outcome.

she dared not

Suggests a strong prohibition, either internal or external, preventing the action.

she shrank from

Implies a physical or emotional recoiling from something, suggesting a strong aversion.

FAQs

What's the difference between "she was afraid to" and "she was scared to"?

Both "she was afraid to" and "she was scared to" are similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Scared" might imply a more immediate or intense feeling of fear, but the core meaning remains the same. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.

What can I say instead of "she was afraid to"?

You can use alternatives like "she hesitated to", "she was reluctant to", or "she dreaded to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "she was afraid of" followed by a verb?

While "she was afraid of" can be grammatically correct, it requires a gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "She was afraid of failing". It's often simpler and more direct to use "she was afraid to fail".

How do I use "she was afraid to" in a sentence?

Use "she was afraid to" to describe a situation where someone hesitated or avoided doing something because of fear. For example, "She was afraid to speak up during the meeting" or "She was afraid to travel alone at night".