we are afraid

USAGE SUMMARY

"we are afraid" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express fear in a given situation - either realistically or figuratively. For example, "We are afraid of what may happen if we don't take the necessary steps to reduce carbon emissions".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are afraid..

The Telegraph

"Yes, we are afraid.

The New York Times

"We are afraid," he said.

The New York Times

"We are afraid," Refat said.

The New York Times

"We are afraid of everyone.

The Guardian

We are afraid for you".

The New York Times - Magazine

We are afraid of Google.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are afraid and exhilarated.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are afraid," Ms. Kalita said.

The New York Times

Perhaps because we are afraid of suffering.

The New York Times

"That's what we are afraid of".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are afraid" to express a shared sense of fear or apprehension within a group or organization. Be specific about the object of fear to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we are afraid" without explaining what is causing the fear. Always provide context to make the statement meaningful and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are afraid" functions as a declarative statement expressing a shared emotion of fear or apprehension. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly used to convey a feeling of unease or worry about a specific situation or potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are afraid" is a versatile phrase used to express a shared sense of fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to provide context to clarify the source of fear. Alternatives such as "we feel apprehensive" or "we are feeling anxious" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar emotions. Remember to be specific and provide context to ensure your message is clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are feeling fearful

Employs "fearful" to directly replace "afraid", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

we are scared

Uses "scared", a more colloquial synonym for "afraid", indicating a strong feeling of fear.

we are apprehensive

Similar to "we feel apprehensive" but more direct, conveying a sense of foreboding.

we are feeling worried

Substitutes "afraid" with "worried", focusing on concern about potential problems.

we feel apprehensive

Replaces "afraid" with "apprehensive", indicating a feeling of anxiety about something that might happen.

we are feeling anxious

Uses "anxious" instead of "afraid", suggesting a state of worry or unease.

we are uneasy

Replaces "afraid" with "uneasy", describing a lack of comfort or security.

we dread

Expresses a strong feeling of fear or apprehension about something that is going to happen.

we are in dread

Highlights the state of being in a strong state of fear and apprehension.

we have concerns

Shifts from a feeling to stating the existence of "concerns", a more formal expression of worry.

FAQs

What does "we are afraid" mean?

The phrase "we are afraid" indicates a state of fear, worry, or apprehension shared by a group of people. It expresses a collective feeling of unease or concern about a particular situation or potential outcome.

What can I say instead of "we are afraid"?

You can use alternatives like "we feel apprehensive", "we are feeling anxious", or "we are feeling fearful" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "we are afraid of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we are afraid of" is grammatically correct. The preposition "of" is typically used to indicate the object or cause of the fear, such as "we are afraid of heights" or "we are afraid of the consequences".

How to use "we are afraid" in a sentence?

To effectively use "we are afraid" in a sentence, clearly state the subject experiencing the fear (we), the verb (are), and the object or cause of the fear. For example, "We are afraid that the project will fail" or "We are afraid of the potential risks involved".