Strange expression

Question

Why not simply : J’ai peur qu’il soit à l’heure ? Why is « ne » necessary ?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Dennis,
The 'ne' explétif is used after certain expressions such as "to fear= avoir peur que" because they carry a negative meaning to the sentence. 
See link here: French expletive 'ne'
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Bonjour Isabelle,
The "ne explétif" is a literary/formal construction that doesn't actually negate the sentence. It's used in certain contexts, often after expressions of fear or doubt. It is true that in spoken French, the "ne" of regular negations (ne...pas, ne...jamais, etc.) is indeed often dropped (which shows a linguistic evolution and simplification). However, this is different from the "ne explétif" which is primarily a written phenomenon. Therefore, you often find that the "ne explétif" is dropped in spoken French because it is a literary/highly formal construct.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Hi Dennis,Perhaps the lesson didn't explain for you?https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/ne-expletif/Try the above link.Jim

Answer

Because oral French drops the no more often than not, it ends up being confusing as if the ne enter an unfamiliar expression which then becomes negative. And if oral French drops the ne isn't it because it is necessary to clarify that it is a positive sentence?