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

Table of Contents

1. The 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. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

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” are both expressions used to indicate the possibility that something bad may happen.
However, “〜恐おそれがある” refers to an objective possibility based on data, expert opinions, or other evidence, while “〜かねない” expresses a subjective possibility that the speaker predicts or assumes.
Both are relatively formal expressions and are often used in contexts such as news reports and business situations.

〜恐おそれがある (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
Indicates concern that something bad may happen

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

[Examples]　
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 may arrive in an hour.

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.

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 risk that this old building may collapse.

Natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes are difficult for individuals to predict. For this reason, “恐おそれがある” is often used in news reports.

[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 risk 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 risk of a tsunami, so please evacuate.

It can also be used in situations other than natural disasters when there is an objectively recognized risk.

[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 may 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.

〜かねない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Indicates the possibility that a bad result may occur

[Rules]
[V] Verb Stem form + かねない

[Examples]　
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.

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.

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.

“〜かねない” expresses a bad result that the speaker thinks is likely to happen based on the situation.

[Examples]　
火ひをつけたままにしておくと火事かじになりかねません。
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.

It is also sometimes used in business situations.

[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 cause customers to misunderstand.
⇒ It means that customers may 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うしないかねません。
Under the current management situation, the company could lose its credibility.
⇒ It means that the company may lose its credibility.

Let’s Compare

“恐おそれがある” is often used in news reports and newspapers. It expresses the possibility that something bad may happen based on objective evidence such as expert opinions, data, or analytical results. It is commonly used when there are objective grounds, such as natural disasters, social issues, or health risks.

On the other hand, “かねない” is used when the speaker predicts that a bad result may occur after observing a situation. Because it includes the speaker’s judgment or concern, it carries a more subjective nuance compared to “恐おそれがある.”

For this reason, the following sentences can both be used, 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.
⇒ This indicates an objective possibility based on medical knowledge or data.

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.
⇒ This expresses the speaker’s prediction that such a result could occur.

Let’s look at another example to see the difference.

[Examples]　
このまま対策たいさくをしなければ、感染かんせんが拡大かくだいする恐おそれがあります。

If no measures are taken, the infection may spread.

⇒ This shows an objective possibility based on expert analysis or data.

そんな乱暴らんぼうな言いい方かたをすると、相手あいてに誤解ごかいされかねません。

If you say it in such a harsh way, the other person might misunderstand you.

⇒ This expresses a possibility that the speaker predicts based on the situation.

In this way, “恐おそれがある” is used when indicating a possibility based on objective evidence, while “かねない” is used when the speaker predicts a possible negative result based on the situation.

Summary

[〜恐おそれがある]

• Expresses an objective possibility.
• Often based on expert opinions or data.
• Frequently used in news reports and formal contexts.
• Also commonly used when referring to natural disasters.

[〜かねない]

• Expresses a possibility based on the speaker’s prediction.
• Used when a negative result seems likely to occur.
• Used in both conversation and business situations.

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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