JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜恐れがある” and “〜かねない”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜恐おそれがある” and “〜かねない”
2. 〜恐おそれがある
3. 〜かねない
4. 〜恐おそれがある VS 〜かねない
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: Do “〜恐おそれがある” and “〜かねない” mean the same thing?

A: “〜恐おそれがある” and “〜かねない” both express the possibility of something negative happening, conveying the danger or seriousness of the situation to the listener.
The choice between them depends on whether the possibility is subjective or objective. Both are formal and serious expressions.

〜恐おそれがある (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
There is a concern that 〜

[Rules]
[V] Verb Dictionary form ＋恐おそれがある　　
[N] Noun ＋の＋恐おそれがある　

[Examples]
[V] 1時間じかん後ごに津波つなみが来くる恐おそれがあります。
There is a possibility that a tsunami will come in an hour.

[V] 大雨おおあめで川かわの水みずが増ふえる恐おそれがあります。
There is a risk that the river’s water level will rise due to heavy rain.

[N] この古ふるいビルは倒壊とうかいの恐おそれがあります。
There is a fear that this old building may collapse.

〜かねない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Something bad might happen

[Rules]
[V] Verb Stem form ＋かねない

[Examples]
[V] お菓子かしばかり食たべていると病気びょうきになりかねません。
If you keep eating sweets, you might get sick.

[V] 木村きむらさんはミスが多おおくていつか大おおきな問題もんだいを起おこしかねないですね。
Mr. Kimura makes a lot of mistakes and might cause a big problem someday.

[V] そんなにスピードを出だしたら事故じこを起おこしかねないよ。
Driving at such high speed could lead to an accident.

〜恐おそれがある VS 〜かねない　

“〜恐おそれがある” is often used in news and newspapers to convey objective possibilities based on expert statements or data.
On the other hand, “〜かねない” expresses the speaker’s subjective prediction of a negative outcome for a particular event.

Therefore, in the following cases, both are appropriate, but the nuance is different.

[Examples]
これを食たべすぎると病気びょうきになる恐おそれがあります。
If you eat too much of this, there is a fear that you might get sick.
⇒ It is a possibility based on data and analysis.

これを食たべすぎると病気びょうきになりかねません。
If you eat too much of this, you might get sick.
⇒ It is a possibility predicted by the speaker.

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[恐おそれがある]

Natural disasters (such as tsunamis and earthquakes) are almost impossible for the speaker to predict, so “〜恐おそれがある” is used in news reports to convey this.

[Examples]
再ふたたび地震じしんが来くる恐おそれがあります。
There is a fear that another earthquake might occur.

津波つなみの恐おそれがあるので逃にげてください。
There is a fear of a tsunami, so please evacuate.

　　
Other than natural disasters, objective possibilities of danger can be conveyed as follows.

[Examples]
専門せんもん家かによるとこのままでは人口じんこうが減へる恐おそれがあるそうです。
According to experts, if things continue like this, the population might decrease.

たばこを吸すい過すぎると病気びょうきになる恐おそれがあることがわかりました。
It has been found that smoking too much can lead to illness.

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[〜かねない]

For disasters or accidents that the speaker can foresee or imagine, “〜かねない” can be used.

[Examples]　
火ひをつけたままにしておくと火事かじになりかねない。
If you leave the fire on, it could cause a fire.

そんな危あぶない運転うんてんをすると事故じこになりかねないですよ。
Driving so recklessly could lead to an accident.

Since it is a formal expression, it can also be used in business settings.

[Examples]
このような説明せつめいだとお客きゃく様さまが誤解ごかいされかねないです。
This kind of explanation could lead to the customer’s misunderstanding.
⇒ It means there is a possibility that the customer might misunderstand.

この経営けいえい状態じょうたいでは会社かいしゃの信用しんようを失ないかねません。
In this state of management, the company could lose its credibility.
⇒ It means there is a possibility that the company might lose its credibility.

Summary

〜恐おそれがある

• It conveys the possibility of something bad happening based on experts or data, objectively considered.
• It is often used in news reports and newspapers.
• It is also used to convey the possibility of natural disasters (such as tsunamis and earthquakes) occurring.

〜かねない

• It conveys a negative possibility subjectively considered by the speaker.
• It is used for disasters or accidents that the speaker can foresee or imagine.
• It is also often used in business settings.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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