For fear that means because you're worried that: you act to stop something bad from happening. He saved a second copy for fear that the file might be lost. After that, people usually use might, would or should. The short form is for fear of + -ing: for fear of waking the baby. It sounds bookish; in conversation, in case is more common.
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for fear that + clause / for fear of + noun or -ing
- He saved a second copy for fear that the original file might be lost.
- We spoke quietly for fear of waking the baby.
- She checked the address twice for fear that the parcel would go to the wrong building.
What changed
First versionWe spoke quietly for fear to wake the baby.
RevisionWe spoke quietly for fear of waking the baby.
Afraid to wake and in order not to wake both use to, so for fear to wake feels natural. But after for fear comes either of + -ing or that + a full clause: for fear of waking the baby or for fear that the baby might wake up.
In case is a practical precaution with no fear in it: Take an umbrella in case it rains. For fear that stresses the worry: She didn't call for fear that she might disturb him. So that, by contrast, names the goal you want: We spoke quietly so that the baby could sleep.
Your turn
They avoided the loose stones for fear of ___.
Show the answer
falling — After of, a verb takes the -ing form: for fear of falling. To fall comes from afraid to fall, and it can't follow of.
Describe a time you played it safe: packed something extra, left early or checked something twice. Use for fear that or for fear of.
I left home an hour early for fear that I might miss the train.
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