a serious peril

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious peril" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant danger or threat in various contexts, such as environmental issues, personal safety, or health risks. Example: "The rising sea levels pose a serious peril to coastal communities, threatening their homes and livelihoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A shortage of water is a more serious peril than any of the others mentioned in this report.

The Economist

At a time of serious peril for America, the G.O.P.'s presumptive presidential nominee revealed himself to be alarmingly out of touch on both of the most pressing issues roiling the country.

The New York Times

The childhood tradition of a bedtime story is in serious peril, as experts warn that parents are not making the time to read to their children at the end of the working day and stop reading to them at too young an age.

The Guardian

Food policy is not something American presidents have had to give much thought to, at least since the Nixon administration — the last time high food prices presented a serious political peril.

The New York Times - Magazine

The DeCaros are still trying to figure out why, despite years of efforts to get their mortgage payments down to a level they can afford, they remain in serious peril of losing their home.

Huffington Post

None is without serious peril.

The Guardian - Opinion

This puts democracy itself in serious peril.

The New York Times

The more serious peril, though, has to do with policy rather than politics.

The New York Times

The developments signaled the most serious peril yet for Republicans' 51-49 majority.

The Washington Post

"The federal government ignores state and local governments at serious peril," Mr. Corzine said.

The New York Times

Victory will place the most dangerous regime on the planet, Iran's fascist theocracy, in serious peril.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious peril" when you want to emphasize the significant danger or risk associated with a particular situation. Ensure the context clearly highlights the potential negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious peril" in overly casual or informal situations. It can sound overly dramatic when a simpler term like "risk" or "danger" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious peril" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or complement in a sentence. It denotes a state of significant danger or risk. Although Ludwig AI provides example usages, there are no exact matches in the provided data. This phrase is used to highlight the severity of a threatening situation.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious peril" is a grammatically sound way to describe a significant danger or threat. As determined by Ludwig AI, its correctness in written English is confirmed. Although there are no exact matches for the phrase in the provided data, related phrases such as "a grave danger" or "a significant threat" offer similar meanings. While the usage frequency is currently missing in our dataset, understanding its function, purpose, and register allows for informed and effective use in various contexts, primarily in news and media, to convey serious and urgent situations. Therefore it's more suited for neutral to formal contexts, but is applicable across a range of writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave danger

This alternative emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the threat.

a significant threat

This alternative highlights the importance and potential impact of the danger.

a dire risk

This alternative suggests a very urgent and negative outcome is possible.

a major hazard

This alternative focuses on the potential for harm or damage.

a critical threat

This alternative underscores the importance and urgency of addressing the danger.

a looming danger

This alternative suggests the danger is approaching and imminent.

a present danger

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy and current existence of the threat.

a substantial risk

This alternative indicates the risk is considerable and noteworthy.

a perilous situation

This alternative focuses on the dangerous nature of the circumstances.

a worrying trend

This alternative suggests a concerning development that could lead to negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious peril" in a sentence?

You can use "a serious peril" to describe situations involving significant danger or risk. For instance, "Climate change poses "a serious peril" to coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "a serious peril"?

Alternatives include "a grave danger", "a significant threat", or "a dire risk", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a serious peril" a formal or informal expression?

"A serious peril" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news reports, academic writing, and professional contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal conversations.

What distinguishes "a serious peril" from "a slight risk"?

"A serious peril" emphasizes the high degree of danger and potential for severe consequences, whereas "a slight risk" suggests the possibility of harm is minimal and less concerning. The choice depends on the actual level of threat involved.