Unit 66: To ... (afraid to do) and preposition + -ing (afraid of -ing)

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 66: To ... (afraid to do) and preposition + -ing (afraid of -ing)

Afraid to (do) and afraid of (do)ing

I am afraid to do something = I don't want to do it because it is dangerous or the result could be bad.

We use afraid to do for things we do intentionally; we can choose to do them or not:

This part of town is dangerous. People are afraid to walk here at night.
(= they don't want to walk here because it is dangerous - so they don't)
James was afraid to tell his parents what had happened.
(= he didn't want to tell them because he knew they would be angry or worried)

I am afraid of something happening = it is possible that something bad will happen (for example, an accident).

We do not use afraid of -ing for things we do intentionally:

The path was icy, so we walked very carefully. We were afraid of falling.
(= it was possible that we would fall - not we were afraid to fall)
I don't like dogs. I'm always afraid of being bitten. (not afraid to be bitten)

So, you are afraid to do something because you are afraid of something happening as a result:

I was afraid to go near the dog because I was afraid of being bitten.

Interested in (do)ing and interested to (do)

I'm interested in doing something = I'm thinking of doing it, I would like to do it:

Let me know if you're interested in joining the club. (not to join)
I tried to sell my car, but nobody was interested in buying it. (not to buy)

We use interested to ... to say how somebody reacts to what they hear/see/read/learn/ know/find.
For example, 'I was interested to hear it' = I heard it and it was interesting for me:

I was interested to hear that Tanya left her job.
Ask Mike for his opinion. I would be interested to know what he thinks. (= it would be interesting for me to know it)

This structure is the same as surprised to ... / glad to ... etc. (see Unit 65C):

I was surprised to hear that Tanya left her job.

Sorry to (do) and sorry for/about (do)ing

We use sorry to ... to say we regret something that happens (see Unit 65C):

I was sorry to hear that Nicky lost her job. (= I was sorry when I heard that ... )
I've enjoyed my stay here. I'll be sorry to leave.

We also say sorry to ... to apologise at the time we do something:

I'm sorry to phone you so late, but I need to ask you something.

You can use sorry for or sorry about (doing something) to apologise for something you did before:

I'm sorry for (or about) shouting at you yesterday. (not sorry to shout)

You can also say:

I'm sorry I shouted at you yesterday.

We say:

I want to (do) / I'd like to (do)	but I'm thinking of (do)ing / I dream of (do)ing
I failed to (do)	but I succeeded in (do)ing
I allowed them to (do)	but I prevented them from (do)ing I stopped them from (do)ing

For examples, see Units 54-55 and 62.

66.1 Use the words in brackets to write sentences. Use afraid to ... or afraid of -ing.

The streets are unsafe at night.
(a lot of people / afraid / go / out) ⁽¹⁾ .
We walked very carefully along the icy path.
(we / afraid / fall) ⁽²⁾ .
I don't usually carry my passport with me.
(I / afraid / lose / it) ⁽³⁾ __________ .
I thought she would be angry if I told her what had happened.
(I / afraid / tell / her) ⁽⁴⁾ __________ .
We rushed to the station.
(we / afraid / miss / our train) ⁽⁵⁾ __________ .
In the middle of the film there was an especially horrifying scene.
(we / afraid / look) ⁽⁶⁾ __________ .
The vase was very valuable, so I held it carefully.
(I / afraid / drop / it) ⁽⁷⁾ __________ .
I thought the food on my plate didn't look fresh.
(I / afraid / eat / it) ⁽⁸⁾ __________ .
(I / afraid / get / sick) ⁽⁹⁾ __________ .

66.2 Complete the sentences using in ... or to .... Use these verbs:

~~buy~~
get
know
look
read
start

I'm trying to sell my car, but nobody is interested it.
Julia is interested __________ her own business.
I was interested __________ your article in the newspaper last week. It was very well written.
Ben wants to stay single. He's not interested __________ married.
I heard from Mark recently. You'll be interested __________ that he's now working in Paris.
I don't enjoy sightseeing. I'm not interested __________ at old buildings.

66.3 Complete each sentence using sorry for/about ... or sorry to ... . Use the verb in brackets.

I'm you so late, but I need to ask you something. (phone)
I was __________ that you didn't get the job you applied for. (hear)
I'm __________ all those bad things about you. I didn't mean them. (say)
I'm __________ you, but do you have a pen I could borrow? (disturb)
I'm __________ the book you lent me. I'll buy you another one. (lose)

66.4 Complete each sentence using the verb in brackets.

We wanted the building. (leave)
We weren't allowed __________ the building. (leave)
We were prevented __________ the building. (leave)
Peter failed __________ the problem. (solve)
Chris succeeded __________ the problem. (solve)
I'm thinking __________ away next week. (go)
I'm hoping __________ away next week. (go)
I'd like __________ away next week. (go)
I'm looking forward __________ away next week. (go)
Helen wanted __________ me lunch. (buy)
Helen insisted __________ me lunch. (buy)
Helen promised __________ me lunch. (buy)
Helen wouldn't dream __________ me lunch. (buy)

Answer Key

Favorite Books

English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Table of Contents