used to give someone news of something bad that has happened or might happen

[ + (that) ] I fear (that) she's already left. 恐怕她已经离开了。

Is he very angry? I fear we are about to find out.

Can these novels be read purely for pleasure? The answer, I fear, is no.

These people, I fear, are likely to lose their life savings.

One could petition the courts, but I fear it would be a waste of one's time.

See also: fear verb