A Common Mistake in English Grammar: Incorrect Usage of 'afraid of' + Singular Noun

English grammar can be tricky, and there are many common mistakes that even native speakers make. One such mistake is the incorrect usage of the phrase 'afraid of' + singular noun.

The Correct Usage

When using the phrase 'afraid of' to express fear or apprehension towards something, it is important to match it with a plural noun. For example:

• Correct: I'm afraid of spiders.
• Incorrect: I'm afraid of spider.

In the incorrect example, 'spider' is a singular noun, and it should be pluralized as 'spiders' to match the phrase 'afraid of'.

Let's look at some more examples:

• Correct: She is afraid of heights.
• Incorrect: She is afraid of height.

• Correct: They are afraid of clowns.
• Incorrect: They are afraid of clown.

Why is it a mistake?

The mistake of using 'afraid of' with a singular noun usually occurs due to the misconception that the singular form is more grammatically correct. However, in this context, the plural form should be used.

The reason for this is that the phrase 'afraid of' implies a general fear or aversion towards a category or group of things, rather than a specific individual. By using the plural noun, it conveys the idea that the fear extends to multiple instances of the noun.

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