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JLPT N3Modal Expressions

～おそれがある— There Is a Risk That

Means 'there is a risk/fear/danger that ~'. It warns that some undesirable event may occur. Used for objective, somewhat serious possibilities, so it is common in news, weather reports, and formal notices rather than casual conversation.

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Pro lessonUNIT 9 · MODAL EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Verb dictionary form] + おそれがある / [Noun] + の + おそれがある

Examples · 例文

  • 台風が上陸するおそれがある。

    Taifuu ga jouriku suru osore ga aru.

    There is a risk that the typhoon will make landfall.

    Verb 上陸する + おそれがある warns of a possible undesirable event.

  • この地域では大雨のおそれがあります。

    Kono chiiki de wa ooame no osore ga arimasu.

    There is a risk of heavy rain in this area.

    Noun 大雨 + の + おそれがあります, typical of weather warnings.

  • 対応が遅れると、被害が広がるおそれがある。

    Taiou ga okureru to, higai ga hirogaru osore ga aru.

    If the response is delayed, there is a danger the damage will spread.

    Verb 広がる + おそれがある flags a serious potential negative outcome.

Usage notes · 注意

  • Only for negative/undesirable possibilities.
  • Attaches to verbs (dictionary form) and nouns (+ の); い-adjectives are used via their verb form (e.g. 高くなるおそれ).
  • Register: formal / written; common in news and official warnings.
  • Do not use for good possibilities — use かもしれない instead.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～おそれがある is tested against.

vsかもしれない

かもしれない is a neutral, casual 'might' for any outcome; おそれがある is formal and only for undesirable, worrying possibilities.

vs可能性がある

可能性がある is neutral about whether the outcome is good or bad; おそれがある specifically warns of a bad outcome.

More modal expressions

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