(으)ㄹ까 봐서 [Intermediate Grammar]

- (으)ㄹ까 봐서

→ When a verb '보다' meaning '생각하다', '추측하다,' is used as a form of '-(으)ㄹ까 봐서,' it means a speaker does an action of a following clause, worrying about an action or a condition of a preceding clause will be done. '서' is easily omitted, and the context of the preceding clause becomes something negative or unwanted.

Example: 

1. 우리 아이가 어제 입학시험을 보았는데 떨어질까 봐 걱정이에요. 

    My child took an entrance exam yesterday, and I am concerned that he might fail.

2. 제시간에 도착하지 못할까 봐서 택시를 탔어요.
    I took a taxi because I am concerned about not getting there on time.

3. 겉으로는 괜찮은데, 혹시 머리가 다쳤을까 봐 사진을 찍어 봤어요.

    He seems to be all right outwardly, but I was concerned that his head might have gotten hurt so I had him taken to get an X-ray.

4. 아이가 유리병을 만질까 봐 치워 놓았어요.

    I put it away because I was afraid the child might touch the glass bottle.

5. 사실대로 말하면 야단을 맞을까 봐 거짓말을 했어요.

    I lied for fear of being scolded if she told the truth.