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Unit 66 · -ing and to …

to ... (afraid to do) and preposition + -ing (afraid of -ing)

Study

A

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

›

This part of town is dangerous. People are afraid to walk here at night.

(= they don’t walk here at night because it is dangerous)

›

James was afraid to tell his parents what had happened.

(= he didn’t tell them because he thought they would be angry)

I am afraid of something happening = I am afraid that something bad will happen.

›

The path was icy, so we walked very carefully. We were afraid of falling.

(= we were afraid that we would fall – not afraid to fall)

›

I don’t like dogs. I’m always afraid of being bitten.

(= I’m afraid that I will be 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.

B

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)

I was interested to hear/see/know something = it was interesting for me. For example:

›

I was interested to hear that Tanya left her job.

(= I heard this and it was interesting for me)

›

I’ll ask Mike for his opinion. I would be interested to know what he thinks.

(= it would be interesting for me to know what he thinks)

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

›

I was surprised to hear that Tanya left her job.

C

sorry for … and sorry to …

We use sorry for (doing) to apologise for something:

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I’m sorry for shouting at you yesterday. (not sorry to shout)

You can also say:

›

I’m sorry I shouted at you yesterday.

We use sorry to … to say that we regret something that happens:

›

I’m sorry to hear that Nicky lost her job. (not sorry for)

›

I’ve enjoyed my stay here. I’ll be sorry to leave.

We also say ‘I’m sorry to …’ to apologise at the time we do something:

›

I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you a question.

D

We say:

I want to (do), I’d like to (do) but I’m thinking of (do)ing
I hope to (do) I dream of (do)ing
I failed to (do) I succeeded in (do)ing
I allowed them to (do) I prevented them from (do)ing
I plan to (do) I’m looking forward to (do)ing
I promised to (do) I insisted on (do)ing

→ Verb + to … ➜ Units 54–55 Verb + preposition + -ing ➜ Unit 62 sorry to … ➜ Unit 65C Adjective + preposition ➜ Units 130–131 sorry about/for ➜ Unit 130

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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66.1

Write sentences using afraid to … or afraid of -ing.

  1. 1
    The streets here are not safe at night.
    (a lot of people / afraid / go / out) A lot of people are out.example
  2. 2
    We walked very carefully along the icy path.
    (we / afraid / fall) We were .
  3. 3
    I don’t usually carry my passport with me.
    (I / afraid / lose / it) I’m it.
  4. 4
    I thought she would be angry if I told her what had happened.
    (I / afraid / tell / her) I was her.
  5. 5
    We ran to the station.
    (we / afraid / miss / our train) We were our train.
  6. 6
    In the middle of the film there was a very horrifying scene.
    (we / afraid / look) We were .
  7. 7
    The vase was very valuable, so I held it carefully.
    (I / afraid / drop / it) I was it.
  8. 8
    If there’s anything you want to know, you can ask me.
    (don’t / afraid / ask) Don’t be .
  9. 9
    I was worried because we didn’t have much petrol.
    (I / afraid / run out of petrol) I was out of petrol.
66.2

Complete the sentences using interested in … or interested to … . Choose from these verbs:

buyhearknowlookstartstudy
  1. 1
    I’m trying to sell my car, but nobody is it.example
  2. 2
    Nicola is her own business.
  3. 3
    I saw Joe recently. You’ll be that he’s getting married soon.
  4. 4
    I didn’t enjoy school. I wasn’t .
  5. 5
    I went to a public meeting to discuss the plans for a new road. I was how people felt about the project.
  6. 6
    Paul doesn’t enjoy sightseeing. He’s not at old buildings.
66.3

Complete the sentences using sorry for … or sorry to … . Use the verb in brackets.

  1. 1
    I’m you, but I need to ask you something. (bother)example
  2. 2
    We were that you can’t come to the wedding. (hear)
  3. 3
    I’m bad things about you. I didn’t mean what I said. (say)
  4. 4
    It’s a shame Alan is leaving the company. I’ll be him go. (see)
  5. 5
    I’m so much noise last night. (make)
66.4

Complete the sentences in each group using the verb in brackets.

  1. 1
    (leave)
    a We wanted the building. b We weren’t allowed the building. c We were prevented the building.example
  2. 2
    (solve)
    a Sam and Chris hoped the problem. b Sam failed the problem. c Chris succeeded the problem.
  3. 3
    (go)
    a I’m thinking away next week. b I’m planning away next week. c I’d like away next week. d I’m looking forward away next week.
  4. 4
    (buy)
    a Helen wanted me lunch. b Helen insisted me lunch. c Helen promised me lunch. d Helen wouldn’t dream me lunch.