おそれがあるThere is a risk that
Expresses a formal assessment that an undesirable event may occur. It reports a risk or concern, rather than simply saying that something is possible.
Assessing an adverse risk
The clause before おそれがある identifies a projected outcome that would be harmful, dangerous, or institutionally problematic. The expression presents that outcome as an assessed risk, so it often sounds impersonal and official.
Public warning
大雨により、河川が氾濫するおそれがあります。
Heavy rain may cause rivers to overflow.
AnalyzeThe polite form reports an official safety risk; it does not describe anyone personally feeling afraid.
Verb, noun, and negative outcomes
Choose the form before the construction according to how you name the adverse result.
この製品には発火のおそれがあるため、使用を中止してください。
Because this product poses a risk of catching fire, please stop using it.
AnalyzeA noun directly names the hazard.
手続きを期限内に完了しないと、申請が受理されないおそれがあります。
If the procedure is not completed by the deadline, the application may not be accepted.
AnalyzeThe negative verb is natural because nonacceptance is the adverse outcome.
このまま人員不足が続けば、予定どおりに運用を開始できないおそれがあります。
If the staff shortage continues, we may be unable to begin operations as scheduled.
AnalyzeThis would be natural in a careful operational briefing.
Risk versus general possibility
おそれがある is the formal, impersonal choice for reporting an adverse risk. かねない is also negative but more readily conveys the speaker's warning or judgment; かもしれない is neutral everyday possibility and can describe good, bad, or neutral outcomes; 得る presents something as theoretically possible without itself marking the result as harmful.
More examples
強風の影響で、列車の運行を見合わせるおそれがあります。
Train services may be suspended because of strong winds.
Analyzeこの薬を過剰に摂取すると、肝機能に障害が生じるおそれがある。
Taking too much of this medicine may impair liver function.
Analyzeデータ移行中に電源を切ると、保存内容が失われるおそれがあります。
Turning off the power during data transfer may cause saved content to be lost.
Analyze対策が遅れれば、感染がさらに広がるおそれがある。
If countermeasures are delayed, the infection may spread further.
Analyze老朽化により、壁の一部が崩落するおそれがあります。
Deterioration has created a risk that part of the wall may collapse.
Analyze不正アクセスによる情報漏えいのおそれがあります。
There is a risk of information leakage due to unauthorized access.
Analyze