Unit 66. То ... (afraid to do) and preposition + -ing (afraid of -ing)
Unit 66; Part A

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, worried etc.)
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.
Unit 66; Part B

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 has 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 has left her job.
Unit 66; Part C

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.
Unit 66; Part D

I want to (do ) / I'd like to (do) I failed to (do) I allowed them to (do) | but but but | I'm thinking of (do)ing / I dream of (do)ing I succeeded in (do)ing I prevented them from (do)ing I stopped them from (do)ing |
Exercises
![]() | Unit 65 Unit 66 Unit 67 | ![]() |
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