be afraid to do sth.意为害怕某人(或某物),主语对做某事内心感到恐惧。be afraid of doing sth.意思是“害怕做某事”,表示主语内心里不情愿做某事,也可以说是不希望发生某事,但自己不一定能避免它。
1. be afraid to do:这个词组表达的是“害怕做某事”,侧重表示不敢的意思。
例句1:Tom is afraid to swim in the river.
汤姆不敢在河里游泳。
例句2:The boy was afraid to stay at home alone.
这个小男孩不敢独自呆在家里。
例句3:Tom was afraid to answer questions at class.
汤姆不敢在课堂上回答问题。
2. be afraid of doing:这个词组侧重表达的是“担心做某事的后果”。
例句1:People are afraid of getting left behind right now.
人们现在非常担心被落下。
例句2:They may be afraid of losing you.
他们可能害怕失去你。
例句3:Don't be afraid of making mistakes because everyone makes mistakes.
不要害怕犯错,因为每个人都会犯错。