tenía miedo de que

was afraid that

→ tener

phrase Uncommon #18,279

was afraid that Usually followed by a verb in the subjunctive. The phrase changes with the subject and tense, as in “tengo miedo de que” (“I’m afraid that”).

SP: Tenía miedo de que llegaran tarde.

EN: I was afraid they would arrive late.

Tenía miedo de que hubieras fallado.

I was afraid you had failed.

Tom dijo que tenía miedo de que su teléfono fuera más listo que él.

Tom said he was afraid that his phone was smarter than he was.

Tenía miedo de que la parta un rayo.

I was afraid lightning would strike her.

— Elena sabe (2023)

Tenía miedo de que se pudiera hundir, pero estaba perfecta.

I was afraid it might sink, but it was perfectly fine.

— Pacto de sangre (1944)

Tenía miedo de que volvieras a casa.

I was afraid you would come back home.

— Anatomía de una Caída (2023)