be afraid of sb or sth/ be afraid of doing sth/be afraid to do sth/ be afraid +that clause等关于afraid的熟词搭配是中考英语的常考词汇,但是也很容易出现混淆。所以大家要注意区分它们的不同。现举例说明其用法。
1. be afraid of sb or sth. “害怕某人或某事”
如
① The boy is afraid of nothing.这个男孩什么都不怕。
② Mary is afraid of her father, for he is very strict with her. 迈瑞害怕她父亲,因为他对她要求很严格。
2. be afraid of doing sth. “害怕、担心某事(自己也无法左右的突发事情)发生”
如:
They are afraid of falling into the swimming pool.我担心掉进游泳池里去。
3. be afraid to do sth. “害怕、不敢做某事”
如:
① The cat was afraid to leave his home. 猫不敢离开家。
② He is afraid to go out at night. 他害怕晚上出去。
4. be afraid +that clause. “恐怕”表带歉意的回绝或告知不好的消息。that 常省去。
如:
I am afraid (that) I can’t do that today. 恐怕今天我不能做那件事。
5. 在日常用语中,I am afraid 常表示歉意或客气,没有恐惧之意。往往相当于I am sorry , 引出不愿发生、可能使对方失望的情况。
如:
① I am afraid I don’t agree with you. 恐怕我不会同意你的意见。
② I am afraid (that) you are wrong. 恐怕你错了。
6. 口语中,在 I am afraid 之后用so / not,可省去上文提到的内容。
如:
①---Has She gone to Guangzhou? 她去广州了吗?
---I’m afraid so.
②---Are we on time? 我们迟到了吗?
---I’m afraid not. 可能没迟到。