I’m not sure if this is the best place to put this, but I had a question about translating, “I’m afraid of” + activity. In particular, do I need an anticipatory “davor,” and if not why not? Ich habe Angst (davor), zu sterben. Ich habe Angst vorm (vor dem) Fliegen. Ich habe Angst (davor), meine Eltern zu enttäuschen.
It seems that I always have to put the “darauf, darüber” stuff. “Ich freue mich darauf” + blah-blah+blah. “Ich denk darüber nach” + blah blah + blah.
Great question, and yes, this is the perfect place to ask.
So whether or not you need this anticipatory da-word depends on… the verb.
For some, you MUST have it (“freuen auf”) for others it’s optional and either with or without or more idiomatic.
Ich habe Angst davor, das/zu…
This is a great example where it’s pretty much up to the speaker. I would say with “dass” the version with “davor” is more idiomatic. With “zu”, it depends on the context and the type of fear (in my mind) but ultimately, you can pick.
If I had to give on recommendation, it’d be to have it there.
By the way, a related article you might find interesting is the one about “vor”:
Thanks! Ok. Since I don’t have much Sprachgefühl and this isn’t something listed in the dictionary should the learner by default use anticipatory-da compounds because it’s never wrong, just maybe sometimes a bit clunky or unnecessary?
Like better safe than sorry.
In this case, it seems that if it’s an infinitive the best is just “vorm” (1) Ich habe keine Angst vorm Sterben.
In the other causes, you can’t go wrong with a da-compound. (2) Ich habe Angst davor, dass der Hund mich beißt. (3) Ich habe Angst davor, um die Prüfung nicht zu bestehen.
I think trying to always use the da-compound is a good choice, simply for the extra practice :)
About the examples:
1)
This is actually a NOUN (das Sterben) and here, you cannot use a da-word. You need a normal boring preposition.
2)
Perfect.
Actually, this example made me realize something:
With the davor, it sounds more like a general statement about your fear, while without it, it’s something I would use in a specific situation where there’s a dog and I’m not doing something because I’m scared. Using “davor” there is not wrong, but definitely less idiomatic.
3)
The “um” needs to go. It translates to “in order to” and that’d be wrong in English as well.
I’m not sure if this is the best place to put this, but I had a question about translating, “I’m afraid of” + activity.
In particular, do I need an anticipatory “davor,” and if not why not?
Ich habe Angst (davor), zu sterben.
Ich habe Angst vorm (vor dem) Fliegen.
Ich habe Angst (davor), meine Eltern zu enttäuschen.
It seems that I always have to put the “darauf, darüber” stuff.
“Ich freue mich darauf” + blah-blah+blah.
“Ich denk darüber nach” + blah blah + blah.
But maybe it’s optional??
Thanks.
Great question, and yes, this is the perfect place to ask.
So whether or not you need this anticipatory da-word depends on… the verb.
For some, you MUST have it (“freuen auf”) for others it’s optional and either with or without or more idiomatic.
This is a great example where it’s pretty much up to the speaker. I would say with “dass” the version with “davor” is more idiomatic. With “zu”, it depends on the context and the type of fear (in my mind) but ultimately, you can pick.
If I had to give on recommendation, it’d be to have it there.
By the way, a related article you might find interesting is the one about “vor”:
https://yourdailygerman.com/vor-preposition-meaning/
Thanks! Ok. Since I don’t have much Sprachgefühl and this isn’t something listed in the dictionary should the learner by default use anticipatory-da compounds because it’s never wrong, just maybe sometimes a bit clunky or unnecessary?
Like better safe than sorry.
In this case, it seems that if it’s an infinitive the best is just “vorm”
(1) Ich habe keine Angst vorm Sterben.
In the other causes, you can’t go wrong with a da-compound.
(2) Ich habe Angst davor, dass der Hund mich beißt.
(3) Ich habe Angst davor, um die Prüfung nicht zu bestehen.
Is that accurate?
Btw, just signed up for the “Unicorn” plan :)
Oh, welcome unicorn then :)!!
I think trying to always use the da-compound is a good choice, simply for the extra practice :)
About the examples:
1)
This is actually a NOUN (das Sterben) and here, you cannot use a da-word. You need a normal boring preposition.
2)
Perfect.
Actually, this example made me realize something:
With the davor, it sounds more like a general statement about your fear, while without it, it’s something I would use in a specific situation where there’s a dog and I’m not doing something because I’m scared. Using “davor” there is not wrong, but definitely less idiomatic.
3)
The “um” needs to go. It translates to “in order to” and that’d be wrong in English as well.