“be frightened to”是英语中表达恐惧或不敢做某事的常用结构,完整形式为“be frightened to do sth”,核心含义是“因害怕而不敢去做某个动作”。
“be frightened to do sth” = 害怕做某事;不敢做某事
(强调因恐惧情绪而主动避免某个动作,主语通常是人)
1、 结构要求:后面必须接不定式(to + 动词原形),不能接动名词(doing)。
正确:She was frightened to walk alone at night.(她不敢深夜独自走路。)
错误:She was frightened to walking alone...(×)
2、 主语是人:“be frightened”描述人的情绪,因此主语只能是“人”(不能是物)。
正确:The child is frightened to get an injection.(孩子不敢打针。)
错误:The storm is frightened to damage houses.(×,物不能“感到害怕”)
3、 与“be frightened of doing”的区别:
“be frightened to do”:不敢做动作本身(因恐惧而回避动作);
“be frightened of doing”:害怕动作带来的结果(担心做了之后会发生不好的事)。
例:
I’m frightened to jump off the cliff.(我不敢从悬崖跳下去——不敢做“跳”这个动作)
I’m frightened of jumping off the cliff.(我害怕从悬崖跳下去——担心跳下去会受伤/摔死)
He was frightened to tell his teacher about the mistake.(他不敢告诉老师自己犯的错。)
Are you frightened to swim in the river?(你不敢在河里游泳吗?)
The little girl was frightened to touch the snake.(小女孩不敢碰蛇。)
Don’t be frightened to ask for help if you need it.(如果你需要帮助,别不敢开口。)
“be afraid to do sth”:与“be frightened to do”意思相近,但“frightened”的恐惧程度更深(更强调“惊恐”),“afraid”更日常(程度较轻)。
例:I’m afraid to speak in public.(我不敢在公众场合发言——日常紧张)
例:I’m frightened to go near the wild dog.(我不敢靠近那只野狗——极度恐惧)
总结:“be frightened to do sth”是描述“因恐惧而不敢行动”的精准表达,重点在于“不敢做某个具体动作”,记住后面接不定式即可正确使用~