Expression dictionary — full article
Guessing & Possibility · lest, for fear that, worried that, concerned that
The V+(으)ㄹ라 grammar pattern is used to express the speaker's concern or apprehension that a particular negative event might occur. It conveys a sense of 'lest' or 'for fear that' something undesirable could happen.
This pattern is employed when the speaker anticipates a potential negative outcome and expresses worry about it. It often implies a desire to prevent that outcome or serves as a warning to others to avoid it. It's commonly used in situations where one needs to take action or be cautious to avert an unwanted future event. For example, if you say "늦을라 서둘러야겠어요," you are worried about being late and thus feel the need to hurry. The concern is about a future possibility.
The V+(으)ㄹ라 pattern attaches directly to the verb stem:
While V+(으)ㄹ라 expresses concern, it often carries a slightly more direct or urgent tone than similar expressions like V+(으)ㄹ까 봐. It emphasizes the potential negative consequence and the need for immediate preventative action or caution. It can sometimes feel a bit more formal or literary, though it's still used in everyday speech for strong concerns. It's particularly useful when you want to explicitly state the reason for an action is to avoid a specific negative outcome.