strange translation

Question

"Nous ________ qu'il ne change d'avis. We fear that he would change his mind. HINT: Conjugate ''craindre'' (to fear) in Le Présent.

Question: why does this mean "we fear that he would change his mind" ? Is it the ne-que=only? that he changes his mind?

This was on my Kwizig test and I just don't see anything that indicates "would."

merci,

anne

Answer

To clarify, the "que" is just a conjunction by itself and the "ne" is a ne-explétif. The would (conditional) is used in the English translation. It is not used in French.

Answer

And, just to be clear, "change" is subjonctif. It looks the same as normal present tense. And it is an indication that the English translation ought to use "would", as it expresses an uncertainty.