Afraid To vs. Afraid Of

Some adjectives are followed by an infinitive. Some are followed by of + ing form. Some adjectives can be followed by either an ing form or an infinitive but there is usually a difference of meaning.

Fill in the blanks.

1. I am .................................. alone in my house.

afraid of being

afraid to be

Either could be used here

Correct! Wrong!

If you are afraid of something happening, you are worried that something bad will happen.

2. It is a dangerous place. People are afraid ........................... there.

of going

to go

Either could be used here

Correct! Wrong!

If you are afraid to do something, you do not want to do it because it is dangerous.

3. I was afraid .................................. him the truth.

of telling

to tell

Correct! Wrong!

4. I was afraid .............................. him alone. I was worried that he would harm himself.

to leave

of leaving

Correct! Wrong!

5. I always drive carefully. I am afraid ............................. an accident.

to have

of having

Correct! Wrong!

6. We walked carefully. We were afraid ...........................

to fall

of falling

Correct! Wrong!

7. I stay away from dogs. I am afraid ..................................... bitten.

to be

of being

Correct! Wrong!

8. I heard a knock on the door. However, I was afraid ............................... the door.

of opening

to open

Correct! Wrong!

9. Those interested .......................... the club should contact the undersigned today itself.

to join

in joining

Correct! Wrong!

If you are interested in doing something, you are thinking of doing it.

10. I am interested ........................... a new car.

to buy

in buying

Correct! Wrong!

11. I was interested ............................ that John and Mary are getting married.

to hear

in hearing

Correct! Wrong!

The expression interested to do something is used to say how you react to what you see / hear / read / find etc.

12. I am interested .......................... what you think of our work.

in knowing

to know

Correct! Wrong!

Answers

I am afraid of being alone in my house.
It is a dangerous place. People are afraid to go there.
I was afraid to tell him the truth.
I was afraid to leave him alone. I was worried that he would harm himself.
I always drive carefully. I am afraid of having an accident.
We walked carefully. We were afraid of falling.
I stay away from dogs. I am afraid of being bitten.
I heard a knock on the door. However, I was afraid to open the door.
Those interested in joining the club should contact the undersigned today itself.
I am interested in buying a new car.
I was interested to hear that John and Mary are getting married.
I am interested to know what you think of our work.