Overview

There are several different ways of expressing fears in Latin. The simplest is to use an infinitive:

timeo ire
I am afraid to go

If the subordinate clause consists of more than a verb, however, the verb of fearing is followed by ut/ne + subjunctive.The tense of the subjunctive follows the rules set down by the sequence of tenses. Unlike other constructions, ut is used for a negative fear, ne for a positive, because the speaker wishes the opposite to what he fears to happen. I am afraid that I might crash my car = May I not crash my car I am afraid that I might not pass my exam = May I pass my exam

In English, the negative can be written as lest + the reverse of the verb:

I am afraid lest I fail my exam.

ne encompasses both of these ways of expressing a negative fear.

timeo ut sustineas labores
I fear that you will not hold out under your toils
timeo ne tibi praeter lacrimas queam reddere
I am afraid lest I can give you only tears in return
I am afraid that I can give you nothing but tears in return
.