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Teo Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
afraid to die
According to A Dictionary of Answers to Common Questions in English (written by Zhao Zhencai, a Chinese Professor of English), afraid of (doing) sth can mean either "worried or anxious about sth. which might happen" or "unwilling to do sth because you are frightened." But afraid to do sth can only mean "unwilling to do sth because you are frightened." For example: I'm afraid of telling her the truth. I'm afraid to tell her the truth. He is not afraid of dying. *He is not afraid to die.
However, the following example is quoted from American Heritage Dictionary,
However, the following example is quoted from American Heritage Dictionary,
- Filled with fear: afraid of ghosts; afraid to die; afraid for his life. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/afraid%20
Top answer
Teo, where is the conflict? The first one says that "He is not afraid to die" is incorrect? If that's so, then I would disagree with the first one.
- Teo, where is the conflict?
- The first one says that "He is not afraid to die" is incorrect?
- If that's so, then I would disagree with the first one.
- I'm not afraid to die is perfectly fine.
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4 Answers
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Teo, where is the conflict? The first one says that "He is not afraid to die" is incorrect? If that's so, then I would disagree with the first one. I'm not afraid to die is perfectly fine.
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1. She is afraid of losing her job.
2. She is afraid to lose her jobb.
3. You need not be afraid of being punished.
4. You need not be afraid to be punished.
Which of the above sentences is NOT acceptable?
2. She is afraid to lose her jobb.
3. You need not be afraid of being punished.
4. You need not be afraid to be punished.
Which of the above sentences is NOT acceptable?
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Hi
Is it correct to say "I'm afraid for my life" "scared for my life"?
Is it correct to say "I'm afraid for my life" "scared for my life"?
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