GRAMMAR DETAIL
おそれがある
Warns of the possibility that an undesirable event may occur.
Examples
強い風で電車が遅れるおそれがある。
There is a risk that the train will be delayed by strong winds.
Words used
強い雨が続くと、川があふれるおそれがある。
If the heavy rain continues, there is a risk that the river will overflow.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: After a dictionary-form verb or a noun plus
の,おそれがあるwarns that an undesirable event may occur. - Basic usage:
強い風で電車が遅れるおそれがある。warns of possible train delays due to strong winds.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Unlike a neutral possibility
成功する可能性があるcan neutrally describe a chance of success, but成功するおそれがあるrequires a context that treats that success as undesirable. Substitutingおそれmerely to sound formal changes the evaluation.