Using afraid

Afraid and fear
Be afraid is the normal expression for talking about fear.

• He is afraid of the dark.
• Don’t be afraid. (NOT Don’t fear.) (NOT Don’t afraid.)
• Are you afraid of spiders?
• There is nothing to be afraid of.
• She is afraid that you might get angry.

Difference between afraid of and afraid to
Compare

• I was afraid of hurting his sentiments. (Because I had no intention to do so.)
• I was afraid to offend him. (Because he might hit me.)

I’m afraid
I’m afraid is a polite way of giving information that will not be welcome.

• I’m afraid your wife has fallen ill. (= I am sorry to tell you that your wife has fallen ill.)
• I can’t help you, I’m afraid.

I’m afraid so and I’m afraid not are common in short answers.

• ‘It is going to rain.’ ‘I’m afraid so.’
• ‘Could you help me?’ ‘I’m afraid not.’

Not used before a noun
Afraid cannot be used to modify a noun in the attributive position. Instead, we use other expressions with similar meanings.

• Jane is afraid. (BUT NOT Jane is an afraid woman.)
• Jane is a frightened woman.

We can use very much to modify afraid.

• I am very much afraid, I can’t meet you.

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