---
title: afraid — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «afraid» in the school dictionary: Afraid means feeling fear, scared that something bad might happen. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# afraid

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Afraid, something, I, you, it, She · **What happens:** mean, feel, happen, be, say, disappoint · **To what, where:** fear, polite way, something, we, wind, deep end · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«afraid» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 9 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [afraid in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/afraid.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Afraid means feeling fear, scared that something bad might happen.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:m1:1
# text = Afraid means feeling fear, scared that something bad might happen.
1	Afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	feeling	feel	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
4	fear	fear	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
6	scared	scared	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	_
7	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	11	mark	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	11	nsubj	_	_
9	bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
10	might	might	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
11	happen	happen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Afraid |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **feel** *not said to happen* | gerund | Afraid *not said here* | fear |  |  |  |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fear=Theme |
| 3 | **happen** | might | something |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Afraid of something means scared of it: afraid of the dark.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:m2:1
# text = Afraid of something means scared of it: afraid of the dark.
1	Afraid	Afraid	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	of	of	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	nmod	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	scared	scared	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	xcomp	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
9	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	dark	dark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Afraid of something |  |  |  |  | scared *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«I'm afraid» is a polite way to say something sorry or disappointing.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:m3:1
# text = «I'm afraid» is a polite way to say something sorry or disappointing.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	polite	polite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	say	say	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	acl	_	_
12	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	11	obj	_	_
13	sorry	sorry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	disappointing	disappoint	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** *in a quote* | present | I |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **is a** | present | afraid | a polite way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent something=Topic |
| 4 | **disappoint** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I'm afraid we are closed.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:m3e:1
# text = I'm afraid we are closed.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
5	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | I |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **close** | present · passive |  | we |  |  |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I am afraid of spiders.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x1:1
# text = I am afraid of spiders.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	am	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	spiders	spider	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | I |  |  |  |  | of spiders; afraid *property* | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't be afraid, it is only the wind.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x2:1
# text = Don't be afraid, it is only the wind.
1	Do	do	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
3	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	cop	_	_
4	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
6	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
8	only	only	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	wind	wind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **not** **is** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **is a** | present | it | the wind |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was afraid to jump into the deep end.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x3:1
# text = She was afraid to jump into the deep end.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	jump	jump	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	into	into	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	deep	deep	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | She |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **jump** | to-infinitive | She *not said here* |  |  |  | into the deep end |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.result»: agent=Theme into end=Result |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I'm afraid the shop is closed.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x4:1
# text = I'm afraid the shop is closed.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	shop	shop	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux:pass	_	_
7	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | I |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **close** | present · passive |  | the shop |  |  |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The puppy was afraid of the thunder.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x5:1
# text = The puppy was afraid of the thunder.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	puppy	puppy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	thunder	thunder	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the puppy |  |  |  |  | of the thunder; afraid *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Are you afraid of the dark?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x6:1
# text = Are you afraid of the dark?
1	Are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	dark	dark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | you |  |  |  |  | of the dark; afraid *property* | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Is it raining?» «I'm afraid so.»

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* «Is it raining?»

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x7:1
# text = «Is it raining?»
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	raining	rain	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **rain** *in a quote* | present · progressive | it |  |  |  |  |  | vn weather-57 «It V PP.theme» |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* «I'm afraid so.»

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x7:2
# text = «I'm afraid so.»
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	so	so	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** *in a quote* | present | I |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He was afraid that he would miss the bus.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x8:1
# text = He was afraid that he would miss the bus.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
5	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
6	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	miss	miss	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	ccomp	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | He |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **miss** | would | he | the bus |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer bus=Stimulus |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was afraid, and didn't stir.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:afraid:x9:1
# text = She was afraid, and didn't stir.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
6	did	do	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
8	stir	stir	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | She |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **not** **stir** | past · do-support | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Experiencer |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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