a perfectly safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perfectly safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely free from danger or risk. Example: "The new safety measures ensure that the playground is a perfectly safe environment for children to play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

There is no such thing as a perfectly safe drug.

The New York Times

This will never be a perfectly safe operation.

The New York Times

"This is a perfectly safe city," he added.

The New York Times

When that bike left the shop it was in a perfectly safe condition".

Independent

Caramel is a perfectly safe ingredient and this has been recognised by all European food-safety authorities.

Independent

He's a perfectly safe projection surface for your fantasies, a sort of Manic Pixie Dream Husband, if you will.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

More accurately, it's being used in a perfectly safe-for-getting-work way: it's the short URL for RIM's (as in Research in Motion's) career/jobs page.

TechCrunch

If you do know what the term means, you'll probably find it a bit entertaining that the URL Rim.jobs is being used in a perfectly safe-for-work way.

TechCrunch

This heats the tissue by a tiny amount—just a few thousandths of a degree that is perfectly safe, but is enough to cause the cells to expand and contract in response.

The Economist

While it may look uncomfortable, a twitch is perfectly safe and humane, and is widely used to ease stress in horses.

WikiHow

As a Westerner, you were perfectly safe there.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "a perfectly safe" environment, provide specific details or evidence to support the claim and build trust with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a perfectly safe" without providing context or evidence. Overstating safety can erode trust if the claim is not credible or verifiable. For example, instead of stating "This product is a perfectly safe solution", specify the safety measures implemented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perfectly safe" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing a noun. It specifies the degree of safety, indicating something is entirely without risk. Ludwig shows examples of it modifying nouns like "city", "drug", "operation", "condition", and "ingredient".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a perfectly safe" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that presents no risk or danger. According to Ludwig, it's often used in contexts such as news, science, and general discussions. While alternatives like "completely secure" or "entirely risk-free" exist, "a perfectly safe" offers a straightforward way to convey reassurance. It's important to use this phrase responsibly, providing context or evidence to support claims of complete safety and avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely secure

Emphasizes the absence of vulnerabilities or threats.

entirely risk-free

Highlights the lack of potential dangers or hazards.

absolutely harmless

Focuses on the inability to cause harm or damage.

totally protected

Suggests a state of being shielded from any negative impact.

unquestionably secure

Adds a layer of certainty and confidence in its safety.

assuredly safe

Implies a guarantee or promise of safety.

definitely without danger

Directly states the absence of perilous conditions.

indisputably secure

Highlights that the security cannot be challenged or questioned.

certainly not dangerous

Reiterates the lack of potential harm with emphasis.

positively innocuous

Emphasizes the harmless nature with a formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "a perfectly safe" in a sentence?

You can use "a perfectly safe" to describe something that presents no risk or danger. For example: "The doctor assured her that the procedure was "a perfectly safe" option."

What are some alternatives to "a perfectly safe"?

Alternatives to "a perfectly safe" include "completely secure", "entirely risk-free", or "absolutely harmless", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a perfectly safe"?

While "safe" alone implies the absence of danger, using "a perfectly safe" emphasizes the complete lack of risk and can add reassurance in certain contexts.

What is the difference between "a perfectly safe" and "relatively safe"?

"A perfectly safe" implies no risk at all, while "relatively safe" suggests that something is safer compared to other options, but might still carry some degree of risk.