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Big A Deal Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
be afraid of ~ing , be afraid to Verb
The boy was afraid to wake up his nasty grandfather
The boy was afraid of waking up his nasty grandfather
Is there any difference
in meaning?
if not, why do the people use twe sentence?
The boy was afraid of waking up his nasty grandfather
Is there any difference
in meaning?
if not, why do the people use twe sentence?
Top answer
Quite similar, and both could be used in the same situation, but to me the first (infinitive) form suggests a specific occasion while the second ( -ing ) form suggests a general or ongoing fear. I seem to recall a similar discussion on an old thread, which someone may be able to resurrect.
- Quite similar, and both could be used in the same situation, but to me the first (infinitive) form suggests a specific occasion while the second ( -ing ) form suggests a general or ongoing fear.
- I seem to recall a similar discussion on an old thread, which someone may be able to resurrect.
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6 Answers
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Quite similar, and both could be used in the same situation, but to me the first (infinitive) form suggests a specific occasion while the second (-ing) form suggests a general or ongoing fear.
I seem to recall a similar discussion on an old thread, which someone may be able to resurrect.
I seem to recall a similar discussion on an old thread, which someone may be able to resurrect.
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Here's one about "to like to do vs to like doing": 101212
Why doesn't my link work?
Why doesn't my link work?
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I think that your post refer "be afraid of ~ing" that refers to a general moment and "be afraid to Verb" that refers to a particular moment.
right?
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Possible contexts:
1. "Wake up your grandfather and tell him dinner's ready", said his mother. But the boy was afraid to wake up his grandfather. Whenever he woke him up, his grandfather hit him with his walking stick.
2. The boy sat quietly in the corner. He wanted to play with his toy soldiers; but he was afraid of waking up his grandfather.
In #1, the "waking up" woul
1. "Wake up your grandfather and tell him dinner's ready", said his mother. But the boy was afraid to wake up his grandfather. Whenever he woke him up, his grandfather hit him with his walking stick.
2. The boy sat quietly in the corner. He wanted to play with his toy soldiers; but he was afraid of waking up his grandfather.
In #1, the "waking up" woul
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Hello MrP
Your contexts well agree to what my E-J dictionary is saying.
It says:
be afraid to do something = not have a courage to do something fearing what follows
be afraid of doing something = feel there would be a danger of doing something
Sometimes 'be afraid of doing' is used in the same sense a
Your contexts well agree to what my E-J dictionary is saying.
It says:
be afraid to do something = not have a courage to do something fearing what follows
be afraid of doing something = feel there would be a danger of doing something
Sometimes 'be afraid of doing' is used in the same sense a
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Thanks for your answer.
I expect your answer ^^
and your answer is interesting.
Thank you ~
I expect your answer ^^
and your answer is interesting.
Thank you ~
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