a formidable danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious threat in various contexts, such as discussions about safety, security, or risk. Example: "The storm posed a formidable danger to the coastal communities, prompting evacuation orders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In many respects, the Spurs' precise, high-scoring offense presents a formidable danger to the Heat.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"And yet they were both skilled enough to convince the viewer that they were one and the same person, both sharing a compassion, an acute intelligence and a formidable nose for danger".

BBC

That encroachment would be particularly pronounced in the dry dog food category, where Ralston and Nestlé pose little danger on their own but a formidable one when combined.

The New York Times

"He's a formidable candidate".

The New York Times

That was a formidable problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"You are a formidable couple.

Independent

They made a formidable team.

The New Yorker

"It was a formidable assignment".

The New York Times - Science

He is a formidable networker.

The Economist

He is a formidable campaigner.

The Economist

A formidable task.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable danger" to emphasize a threat that is not only present but also difficult to overcome. It's stronger than simply saying "a danger".

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable danger" when the situation involves minor risks or inconveniences. Save it for scenarios where the danger is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable danger" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "formidable" modifies the noun "danger". Ludwig AI shows that this phrase correctly identifies a significant and challenging threat.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formidable danger" is a noun phrase used to describe a threat that is both significant and challenging. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for scenarios where the danger is truly substantial and difficult to overcome, avoiding its use in trivial situations. Alternatives include "a significant threat" or "a serious hazard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable risk

Uses "considerable" instead of "formidable", emphasizing the substantial nature of the risk.

a major threat

Emphasizes the scale of the threat by using "major".

a significant threat

Replaces "formidable" with "significant", softening the intensity slightly.

a severe risk

Replaces "formidable" with "severe", indicating the intensity of the risk.

a potent threat

Uses "potent" to describe the threat, indicating its strength and effectiveness.

a serious hazard

Substitutes "danger" with "hazard", focusing on potential harm or risk.

a critical danger

Highlights the urgency and importance of the danger.

a substantial menace

Replaces "danger" with "menace", highlighting the threatening quality.

a looming threat

Changes the adjective to indicate an impending sense of danger.

a grave peril

Replaces both words with stronger synonyms, increasing the sense of severity.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable danger" in a sentence?

Use "a formidable danger" to describe a serious and challenging threat. For example, "The approaching hurricane posed "a formidable danger" to coastal residents".

What are some alternatives to "a formidable danger"?

You can use phrases such as "a significant threat", "a serious hazard", or "a grave peril" to convey similar meanings.

Is there a difference between "a formidable danger" and "a significant danger"?

"A formidable danger" suggests a threat that is not only significant but also difficult to deal with, whereas "a significant danger" simply highlights the importance or size of the threat. The former implies a higher level of challenge.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a formidable danger"?

It is appropriate to use "a formidable danger" when describing situations where there is a substantial risk or threat that is difficult to mitigate or overcome. It emphasizes both the severity and the challenging nature of the danger.