The conjunctions de peur que and de crainte que both mean "for fear that." They are used to express precautions taken to prevent a negative outcome—like childproofing a home—and always require the subjunctive.
| We installed the gate for fear that the baby might fall. | Nous avons installé la barrière de peur que le bébé tombe. |
| She locked the drawer for fear that the child might touch the knife. | Elle a verrouillé le tiroir de crainte que l'enfant touche le couteau. |
Pronouns and Elision
Direct object and reflexive pronouns go directly before the conjugated subjunctive verb. Remember that que contracts to qu' before a vowel or pronouns like il or elle.
| I am hiding the medicine for fear that he might swallow it. | Je cache le médicament de peur qu'il l'avale. |
| We are taking the matches for fear that he might burn himself. | Nous prenons les allumettes de crainte qu'il se brûle. |
The Formal "Ne" (Ne explétif)
In formal or written French, de peur que and de crainte que are frequently followed by an extra ne before the verb. This ne explétif does not make the sentence negative and isn't translated into English; it simply adds a stylistic nuance to emphasize your caution.
| I hide this small toy for fear that the baby swallows it. | Je cache ce petit jouet de crainte que le bébé ne l'avale. |
| I cover this sharp edge for fear that the child hurts himself. | Je couvre ce rebord pointu de crainte que l'enfant ne se blesse. |
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