a major threat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major threat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant danger or risk in various contexts, such as environmental issues, security concerns, or health risks. Example: "Climate change poses a major threat to global biodiversity and ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not currently considered a major threat.

The New York Times

"It's a major threat to Graveyard Point.

The New York Times

"Parbaking is a major threat," he said.

The New York Times - Food

I think he can be a major threat".

The Guardian - Sport

"That is a major threat," said Hamilton James.

The Guardian

Fracking poses a major threat to people and the environment.

The Guardian

He says homegrown extremists are a major threat.

The Guardian

"I don't consider him a major threat," Ms. Buchanan said.

The New York Times

Japan's actions pose a major threat to their survival.

The New York Times

Beijing continues to be a major threat, they argue.

The New York Times - Science

That will pose a major threat to drug industry profits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a major threat", ensure you clearly specify what is being threatened to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "Climate change is a major threat to coastal communities".

Common error

Avoid using "a major threat" without explicitly stating what is at risk. Vague statements like "This is a major threat" lack impact and leave the audience questioning the severity and scope of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major threat" functions as a noun phrase, where "major" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "threat". It commonly acts as a predicate nominative, describing the nature of a subject as indicated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major threat" is a commonly used and grammatically sound construction to denote significant danger or risk. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is frequently found in science, news, and business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to specify the target of the threat to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "a significant risk" or "a serious danger", offering nuanced ways to express concern. By considering these factors, you can effectively and accurately communicate the presence of a significant threat in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant risk

Replaces "threat" with "risk" and "major" with "significant", softening the intensity slightly.

a serious danger

Substitutes "threat" for "danger", implying an imminent and considerable risk.

a grave concern

Replaces "threat" with "concern" to denote a very serious issue needing attention.

a substantial hazard

Uses "hazard" instead of "threat", highlighting the potential for harm, and "substantial" instead of "major".

a considerable peril

Employs "peril", which suggests a serious and immediate risk, and "considerable" replacing "major".

a critical challenge

Changes the focus to a "challenge", indicating a difficult task to overcome, and uses "critical" to stress importance.

a looming danger

Uses "looming" to emphasize the sense of an approaching and unavoidable threat.

a pressing issue

Shifts the focus to an "issue" needing immediate attention, rather than a direct threat.

a foremost challenge

Emphasizes the priority of the challenge, suggesting it is at the forefront of concerns.

a primary risk

Highlights that the risk is of primary importance, needing immediate attention.

FAQs

How can I effectively use the phrase "a major threat" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a major threat", clearly identify the subject posing the threat and the object being threatened. For example, "Cyberattacks are "a major threat" to national security".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a major threat"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant risk", "a serious danger", or "a grave concern" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a major threat"?

Yes, "a major threat" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for forming a noun phrase with an article and adjective modifying the noun.

What makes something qualify as "a major threat"?

Something qualifies as "a major threat" when it poses a significant risk of harm, damage, or negative consequences to something valuable or important. The scale and potential impact determine whether it's considered major.