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.
1I am afraid ............... alone in my house during storms.
Wrong!
Use "of being" for fear about being in a situation.
2It is a dangerous place, so people are afraid ............... there.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to go" and "of going" are acceptable when fear makes people unwilling to do the action.
3I was afraid ............... him the truth.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to tell" and "of telling" are acceptable when fear makes someone unwilling to say something.
4I was afraid ............... him alone because I was worried that he would harm himself.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to leave" and "of leaving" are acceptable because the fear is about doing the action and its possible result.
5I always drive carefully because I am afraid ............... an accident.
Wrong!
Use "of having" for fear that something bad may happen.
6We walked carefully because we were afraid ...............
Wrong!
Use "of falling" for fear that you might fall.
7I stay away from dogs because I am afraid ............... by them.
Wrong!
Use "of being bitten" for fear that dogs may bite you.
8I heard a knock on the door, but I was afraid ............... the door.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to open" and "of opening" are acceptable when the speaker fears the action or its possible result.
9Those interested ............... the club should contact the undersigned today.
Wrong!
Use "in joining" after "interested" to mean wanting to take part.
10I am interested ............... a new car.
Wrong!
Use "in buying" after "interested" to mean thinking about buying something.
11I was interested ............... that John and Mary are getting married.
Wrong!
Use "to hear" after "interested" to describe a reaction to news.
12I am interested ............... what you think of our work.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to know" and "in knowing" are acceptable when you want to find out information.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- I am afraid of being alone in my house during storms.
- It is a dangerous place, so people are afraid to go / of going there.
- I was afraid to tell / of telling him the truth.
- I was afraid to leave / of leaving him alone because I was worried that he would harm himself.
- I always drive carefully because I am afraid of having an accident.
- We walked carefully because we were afraid of falling.
- I stay away from dogs because I am afraid of being bitten by them.
- I heard a knock on the door, but I was afraid to open / of opening the door.
- Those interested in joining the club should contact the undersigned today.
- 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 / in knowing what you think of our work.