おそれがあるthere is a risk that
"There is a risk that": how forecasts, the news and official notices say that something bad may happen. It is always something unwanted.
Heavy snow may delay deliveries.
There is a risk of heavy rain from tonight through tomorrow morning.
After a verb
Plain form + おそれがある
遅れるおそれがある. A negative or a past form works too: 受理されないおそれがある, 流出したおそれがある. Polite: おそれがあります.
After a noun
Noun + の + おそれがある
大雨のおそれがある, 故障のおそれがある. Also written 恐れがある.
- Before it
- Something unwanted: a delay, a flood, a breakdown, a leak, an illness.
- Tone
- Impersonal and official. It announces a risk and blames no one.
- Where you'll meet it
- Weather and disaster warnings, the news, product labels, manuals, company notices.
In use
Heavy rain may cause rivers to overflow.
There is a risk of this product catching fire, so please stop using it.
If the procedure is not completed by the deadline, the application may not be accepted.
The personal information of about 3,000 people may have been leaked.
After a past form it is "may have".
Nobody is afraid
おそれ is the word for "fear", but nobody here is afraid. It only says that the risk exists.
Too official for a chat
Between people it sounds like a public announcement. A friend says かもしれない.
Sounds odd: 明日の
There is a risk that I will be slightly late for tomorrow's party.
To a friend: 少し遅れるかもしれない.
Close neighbours
かねないN2
"Might well": your own warning that what is happening or being done could lead to something bad. Not usually for something you hope for.
Speeding could well lead to a serious accident.
かもしれないN4
"Might": the everyday word, for good news and bad alike.
There may still be some tickets left.
"There is a possibility": made the same way, and said of good and bad alike. It can also say how likely: 可能性が高い, "likely".
At this rate, you are likely to pass the exam.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
抽選で、
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one is right?
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Taking too much of this medicine may impair liver function.
Turning off the power during data transfer may cause saved content to be lost.
If countermeasures are delayed, the infection may spread further.
Part of the wall is at risk of collapsing because of its age.
There is a risk of equipment failure due to overheating.