de peur que + Subjunctive

Fear of a Result with De Peur Que

Level 3

Use de peur que to explain that an action is being taken specifically to avoid a negative outcome. It is followed by the subjunctive.

How It Works

The expression de peur que is used to introduce a subordinate clause describing an event that one wishes to avoid.

1. Mood Requirement:
It always requires the subjunctive mood because it expresses a subjective feeling (fear/anxiety) and a result that has not yet happened.

2. The 'Ne Explétif':
In written or formal French, you will often see a ne before the subjunctive verb (e.g., de peur qu'il ne vienne). This is not a negation; it is a stylistic marker called the ne explétif. It does not change the meaning to 'not'. If you want to actually negate the verb, you must use ne... pas.

3. Subject Constraints:
Use de peur que only when the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause. If the subjects are the same, use de peur de + infinitive instead.

4. Register:
This pattern is standard to formal. In very casual speech, French speakers might use pour pas que + subjunctive, though de peur que remains very common in literature and professional contexts.

Examples (5)

  1. Il parle tout bas de peur que quelqu'un ne l'entende.

    He is speaking very quietly for fear that someone might hear him.

    Word by Word: He speaks all low of fear that someone [ne] him hears.

    Here, 'de peur que' introduces the risk (being overheard). The 'ne' is expletive and 'entende' is in the subjunctive.

  2. Range ces outils de peur que les enfants ne se blessent.

    Put those tools away lest the children hurt themselves.

    Word by Word: Arrange these tools of fear that the children [ne] themselves hurt.

    The action (putting tools away) is done to avoid the negative result (children getting hurt).

  3. J'ai fermé la fenêtre de peur qu'il ne pleuve dans la chambre.

    I closed the window for fear that it might rain in the room.

    Word by Word: I have closed the window of fear that it [ne] rains in the room.

    'Pleuve' is the subjunctive form of 'pleuvoir'. The speaker is taking a precaution against the rain.

  4. Elle reste près de lui de peur qu'il ne se sente seul.

    She stays near him for fear that he might feel lonely.

    Word by Word: She stays near of him of fear that he [ne] himself feels alone.

    This demonstrates 'de peur que' used for emotional precaution rather than physical danger.

  5. Je lui téléphone de peur qu'il ne vienne pas.

    I am calling him for fear that he will not come.

    Word by Word: I phone him of fear that he [ne] comes not.

    Notice that to say 'for fear that it DOES NOT rain', we must add 'pas'. The 'ne' alone would not make it negative.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Je me dépêche de peur que le train partira.
    Je me dépêche de peur que le train ne parte.

    Subordinating conjunctions expressing fear or purpose like 'de peur que' always require the subjunctive mood, never the future or present indicative.

  • Using 'de peur que' when the subject is the same in both clauses.

    Je cours de peur que je sois en retard.
    Je cours de peur d'être en retard.

    When the subject of the action and the subject of the fear are the same (I am running, I am afraid of being late), French prefers 'de peur de' followed by an infinitive.

  • Using 'de peur qu'il ne vienne' to mean 'for fear he won't come'.

    Different MeaningDe peur qu'il ne vienne.
    De peur qu'il ne vienne pas

    'De peur qu'il ne vienne' is correct, but it means 'for fear that he comes'. The 'ne' is only a formal marker. To express fear that he does not come, add 'pas'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

de peur que + SubjunctiveLevel 3Fear of a Result with De Peur Que

Learn This First

To use 'de peur que', a learner must first understand how to form the subjunctive mood, as this conjunction is a specific trigger for it. Additionally, familiarity with the preposition 'de' and the use of 'que' to link clauses is necessary to construct the full expression correctly.

Words in This Pattern

de peur quepeur