恐れがある (osore-ga-aru): There is a risk that; may
~恐れがある (osore-ga-aru)
Meaning
There is a risk that; may
Formation and usage
V dictionary/Nの + 恐れがある
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Objectively warns of an adverse possibility, commonly in reports and notices.
Examples
大雪で会議が延期される恐れがある。
There is a risk that the meeting will be postponed because of heavy snow.
大雪で試験が延期される恐れがある。
There is a risk that the exam will be postponed because of heavy snow.
大雪で研修が延期される恐れがある。
There is a risk that the training session will be postponed because of heavy snow.
大雪で発表会が延期される恐れがある。
There is a risk that the presentation event will be postponed because of heavy snow.
大雪で面接が延期される恐れがある。
There is a risk that the interview will be postponed because of heavy snow.
How related patterns differ
かねる expresses inability to comply; かねない predicts something unwelcome. 恐れがある warns of risk, while 得る marks possibility. すべがない lacks a method; べくもない and 到底~ない emphasize infeasibility.