| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| afraid (adj.) |
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| combines with of, as in We were afraid of causing more trouble, with for, as in I was afraid for my life, or with to plus an infinitive, as in She was afraid to ask. It is Standard in all. Afraid is almost always a predicate adjective. Even when no symptoms of fear are involved, afraid is perfectly proper in “regrettable, unfortunate” circumstances, as in I’m afraid I must disappoint you, even as it continues to involve real fear in other uses: In the dark and creaky house that night, he was afraid. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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