Verb (dictionary form) / Noun + のおそれがある

[There is a risk of / There is a fear that]

Connection: Verb (dictionary form) + おそれがある / Noun + のおそれがある

Usage: Indicates that there is a possibility of something undesirable happening. Used primarily in formal contexts such as news reports, weather warnings, medical advisories, and official announcements. Always refers to negative outcomes.

Variations:

• おそれがある (standard)
• おそれがあります (polite)
• 恐れ (kanji form, common in written language)

Similar expressions:

• かもしれない = might (neutral)
• おそれがある = there is a risk (formal, negative)
• かねない = could possibly (negative, see #21)

Examples:

台風で電車が止まるおそれがあります。(There is a risk that trains will stop due to the typhoon.)

この薬は副作用が出るおそれがある。(There is a risk of side effects from this medicine.)

地震による津波のおそれがあるので、高台に避難してください。(Since there is a risk of a tsunami from the earthquake, please evacuate to higher ground.)