Teo  +  453299 Sat, 15 Dec 07 01:52 AM According to A Dictionary of Answers to Common Questions in English (written by Zhao Zhencai, a Chinese Professor of English), afraid of (doing) sth can mean either "worried or anxious about sth. which might happen" or "unwilling to do sth because you are frightened."  But afraid to do sth can only mean "unwilling to do sth because you are frightened." For example: I'm afraid of telling her the truth. I'm afraid to tell her the truth. He is not afraid of dying. *He is not afraid to die.  However, the following example is quoted from American Heritage Dictionary, Filled with fear: afraid of ghosts; afraid to die; afraid for his life. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/afraid%20 Which book is right, American Heritage Dictionary or A Dictionary of Answers to Common Questions in English? Teo Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004 Taiwan Contributing Member 1,631 Thank you very much for your reply.

	Grammar Geek  +  453302 Sat, 15 Dec 07 02:10 AM Teo, where is the conflict? The first one says that "He is not  afraid to die" is incorrect? If that's so, then I would disagree with the first one. I'm not afraid to die is perfectly fine. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,508 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Teo  +  453315 Sat, 15 Dec 07 02:49 AM 1. She is afraid of losing her job. 2. She is afraid to lose her jobb. 3. You need not be afraid of being punished. 4. You need not be afraid to be punished. Which of the above sentences is NOT acceptable? Teo

	Grammar Geek  +  453316 Sat, 15 Dec 07 02:58 AM 4 sounds quite odd. Grammar Geek