Meaning & use
for fear that
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Meaning
conjunctionfixed phrase
Used to introduce the thing someone is afraid might happen, which is the reason they act as they do.
Grammar: Followed by a clause, usually with might, should or would: for fear that it might rain.
Patterns
- do something for fear that something might happen
- for fear that someone will do something
She spoke quietly for fear that the neighbors might overhear.
He kept the letter hidden for fear that his brother would find it.
We left early for fear that the road would be blocked by snow.
Common combinations
- for fear that it might
- They carried umbrellas for fear that it might pour later.
- for fear that someone should
- She locked the door for fear that someone should walk in.
- say nothing for fear that
- He said nothing for fear that he would make things worse.
- hesitate for fear that
- Many people hesitate to complain for fear that they will be ignored.
- stay home for fear that
- Some stayed home for fear that the storm would return.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lest
- Lest is more literary and takes a bare form of the verb (lest he fall), while for fear that is a little plainer and takes ordinary tenses.
- in case
- In case describes sensible precaution against a possibility and carries no real fear, whereas for fear that stresses worry.
- out of fear that
- Out of fear that is a close and slightly more modern alternative, but it sounds more like an emotional motive than a cautious one.
Word family
Commonly confused: for fear that or for fear of?
for fear that vs for fear of
For fear of is followed by a noun or an -ing form (for fear of failure, for fear of being late), while for fear that needs a full clause.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
For fear that must be followed by a full clause such as the baby would wake up. The other options give a noun phrase or non-finite verb, which would need for fear of instead.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “for fear that”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.