【问】1. to be courage and face the situation.
 (大学生竞赛题)
 2. Will you be able to come to the meeting?____
 A. I'm afraid not. B. I'm sorry not.
 C. I'm not afraid so. D. I'm sorry that “no”. (Nelson，300A)
 3. Man： Well，I suppose I must take Introduction to Engineering.
 Woman： I'm afraid you must，but you needn't worry. It's only two hours per week.Third voice： What did the woman mean?
 A. She is afraid it's a waste of time.
 B. She thinks it's quite necessary.
 C. She thinks it will be all right.
 D. She is afraid he can't learn much. (EPT 教程)
 我觉得上面三个句子中的afraid的用法是有区别的，但又说不清它们之间到底有什么区别：
 【答】 第一句中的afraid必须通过介词of引出补足语：
 1. She is mortally afraid of snakes. (LDCE)
 她非常怕蛇。
 2. What was there to be afraid of? (Wilde)
 有什么可害怕的?
 3. She was afraid of what he might say. (Sinclair)
 她很害怕他可能说出来的话。
 在第二个句子里，I'm afraid用于委婉地提出不同意见或拒绝对方要求。
 1. “Are we on time?”“I’m afraid not.”(LDCE)
 “我们准时吗?”“恐怕不是。”
 2. “Would you like a swim?” “I’m afraid I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”
 “你想游泳吗?”“很遗憾，我没有带游泳衣。”
 在第三个句子里，I'm afraid用于使语气变得缓和、委婉，因为you must的语气太直、太强硬。
 1. “Are we late?” “I’m afraid so. ”(LDCE)
 “我们迟到了吧?”“恐怕是这样。”
 2. I'm afraid you are wrong. (ECD)
 恐怕是你错了。