Posted inN2 Grammar

JLPT N2 Grammar: Expressing Potential Risks with「恐れがある」(おそれがある)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“There is a fear/risk/danger that…” or “There is a possibility of (something negative happening).”

🎯 Primary Function

To express a high likelihood or concern that something undesirable or negative will occur. It implies a warning or a prediction of a potential problem.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb (Plain form) + 恐れがある Noun + の + 恐れがある

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Highly common in formal settings, official announcements, news reports, warnings, scientific papers, and business communications.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used in casual conversation due to its formality and serious tone.

✍️ Written Language

Very frequently used in written language.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal speeches, news broadcasts, or official warnings, but not in everyday speech.

💡 Common Applications

Warnings/Alerts
Used to issue warnings about potential dangers or risks.
Example: 地震による津波の恐れがあります。(There is a risk of a tsunami due to the earthquake.)
Predictions of Negative Outcomes
Used to predict or express concern about future negative developments.
Example: このままでは経済が悪化する恐れがある。(At this rate, there’s a fear the economy will worsen.)
Reports/Analysis
Used in reports or analyses to state potential problems or risks discovered.
Example: 情報漏洩の恐れがあったため、システムを停止した。(We stopped the system because there was a risk of information leakage.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts; rare in informal speech.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
大雨により、土砂崩れが発生する恐れがあります。
Due to heavy rain, there is a risk of landslides occurring.
この薬は副作用が出る恐れがあるので、注意してください。
Please be careful, as this medicine may cause side effects.
個人情報が流出する恐れがあるため、パスワードを定期的に変更してください。
Please change your password regularly, as there is a risk of personal information being leaked.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Negative Connotation
「恐れがある」 always implies a negative or undesirable outcome. It is not used for positive possibilities.
Example: ❌ 宝くじに当たる恐れがある。(Incorrect)
Formality
This expression is much more formal than 「かもしれない」 or 「可能性がある」, making it unsuitable for casual conversation.
Example: ❌ 遅れる恐れがあるんだよ。(Too formal for casual speech)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using in Casual Speech
✅ 遅れるかもしれない。
「恐れがある」 is too formal for everyday, casual conversation. Use 「かもしれない」 or other less formal expressions.
❌ Using for Positive Outcomes
✅ 宝くじに当たる可能性がある。
「恐れがある」 is strictly for negative outcomes. For general possibilities, use 「可能性がある」.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: High politeness/formality.
Social Situations: Primarily used in official warnings, news reports, business communications, academic papers, and other formal situations where precision and a serious tone are required.
Regional Variations: There are no significant regional variations; it is standard Japanese.

🔍 Subtle Differences

「恐れがある」 vs. 「かもしれない」
「恐れがある」 implies a more serious, often negative, risk and is much more formal. 「かもしれない」 is a general possibility, less formal, and can be used for positive or negative outcomes.
When to use: Use 「恐れがある」 for serious, objective risks or concerns. Use 「かもしれない」 for general, less certain possibilities, regardless of positive or negative.
「恐れがある」 vs. 「可能性がある」
「恐れがある」 specifically indicates a *negative* possibility or risk. 「可能性がある」 indicates a general possibility (can be positive or negative) and is slightly less formal or less dire than 「恐れがある」 when describing a negative outcome.
When to use: Use 「恐れがある」 when the outcome is undesirable and there is a definite concern or warning. Use 「可能性がある」 when stating a general chance of something happening, regardless of its positive or negative nature, or when the negative aspect is less emphasized.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Connects directly to the plain form of verbs (dictionary form, ない-form, た-form) and Nouns with の.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The pronunciation is おそれがある (o-so-re ga a-ru). Pay attention to the consistent flow. The “o” in おそれ is a single sound, not drawn out.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 恐れ (おそれ) meaning “fear,” “apprehension,” or “dread.” So, 「恐れがある」 literally means “there is fear/apprehension,” which extends to the meaning of “there is a risk/danger” of something bad happening.

Vocabulary List
恐れ
osore
fear, apprehension, risk
ある
aru
to be, to exist
大雨
ōame
heavy rain
土砂崩れ
dosha-kuzure
landslide
発生する
hassei suru
to occur, to happen
薬
kusuri
medicine
副作用
side effect
Kanji List
恐
おそ
fear, dread
有
あ
exist, have
大
おお
large, big
雨
あめ
rain
土
ど
soil, earth
砂
しゃ
sand
崩
くず
crumble, collapse
発
はっ
start, issue
生
せい
life, birth
薬
くすり
medicine
副
ふく
assistant, associate
Practice Exercises
明日は台風が接近し、＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。
A. 良い天気である恐れがある
B. 交通機関に影響が出る恐れがある
C. 楽しい一日になる恐れがある
D. 素晴らしい景色が見られる恐れがある
この問題が解決しないと、＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。
A. 会社の評判が上がる恐れがある
B. 多くの顧客を失う恐れがある
C. 新しいビジネスチャンスが生まれる恐れがある
D. 社員のやる気が上がる恐れがある
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