Infinitive or — ing? — be afraid, need, help

Be afraid to do и be afraid of — ing

I am afraid to do something = Я не хочу что-то делать, поскольку это небезопасно или результат действия мне нежелателен:

— The streets in this city are not safe at night. Many people are afraid to go out alone.

— She was afraid to tell her parents that she had broken the neighbour’s window.

I am afraid of something happening = возможность, что случится нечто нежелательное:

— We walked along the path very carefully because it was icy and we were afraid of falling.

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

Итак, you are afraid to do something, потому что you are afraid of something happening в качестве результата. Сравните:

— The boys were afraid to play football in the garden

because they were afraid of breaking a window.

— I was afraid to stay in the sun because I was afraid of getting burnt.

Need to do и need — ing

I need to do something = мне надо что-то сделать:

— I need to take more exercise.

— He needs to work harder.

— I don’t need to come to the meeting, do I?

Need — ing = необходимость делать что-то :

— The batteries in this radio need changing.

— This jacket is rather dirty. It needs cleaning.

— Do you think the grass needs cutting?

Help

За help следует инфинитив с to или без:

— Everybody helped clean up after the party.

— Can somebody help me move this table?

Существует выражение `can’t help doing something.’

I can’t help doing something = Я не cмог удержаться, чтобы не сделать этого:

— I tried to be serious but I couldn’t help laughing.

— I’m sorry I broke the glass. Someone pushed me and I couldn’t help dropping it.

— He is stupid but it’s not his fault. He can’t help being stupid.


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Infinitive or — ing? — be afraid, need, help