de peur que

for fear that

→ de

phrase Rare #37,126

for fear that Introduces a feared possibility and is followed by the subjunctive. In formal French, ne may appear without expressing negation, as in « de peur qu'il ne pleuve »; the phrase can also be followed by « de » and an infinitive when the subject is the same.

FR: Elle a parlé doucement de peur que les enfants ne se réveillent.

EN: She spoke quietly for fear that the children might wake up.