〜恐れがある
JLPT N3:there is a risk that
"There is a risk that X": warns that something bad might happen. It is formal, and common in the news and official notices.
How to form it
- Put the verb in the dictionary form and add 恐れがある: 台風が来る恐れがある.
- Nouns take の: 津波の恐れがある (there is a risk of a tsunami).
- It is often written おそれがある.
Examples
明日、台風が来る恐れがあります。
There is a risk that a typhoon will hit tomorrow.
このままでは事故が起きる恐れがある。
If things stay like this, there is a risk of an accident.
Common mistakes
- Using it for something good. Say 優勝する可能性がある (could win), not 恐れがある.
Similar meaning
- 〜かもしれないmight / maybe
"Might": any possibility, in everyday speech.
- 〜かねないmight / risk doing
"Could well" lead to something bad; often about a person's actions.