air of danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "air of danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or atmosphere that feels threatening or risky. Example: "As they approached the abandoned house, an unsettling air of danger filled the atmosphere, making them hesitate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The air of danger will no doubt have been heightened since last year's death by goring.

Princeton University

His frequent excursions into the audience have the air of danger and transgression.

The Guardian

He is a man of mystery, with a barely suppressed air of danger about him.

The Guardian - Opinion

This freedom was precious and the air of danger was delicious.

The Guardian

It was so beautiful, and so peaceful, and yet there was an air of danger".

The New York Times

Khan defined this new era, with his air of danger, rock-star looks, bright smile, high energy, and flawless English.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Even when he smiles and fascinates, however, an air of palpable danger and menace surrounds him.

Los Angeles Times

When masses of students boycott classes, it fills a country with an air of emergency and danger.

The New Yorker

It means the minority of people who own a car in Hackney – about a third of households, according to the 2011 census – still keep control of the streets, with the negative consequences of air pollution, danger and noise still visited on everyone.

The Guardian

Many wind-shear warning systems have been proposed, but Honeywell said all of them were based on detecting sudden changes in a plane's acceleration, air speed or other signs of danger, giving pilots a warning only after the plane has been jolted.

The New York Times

Underlying the incredible beauty of the palaces and pagodas, there was this air of melancholy, tragedy and danger".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "air of danger" to create suspense in your writing; it's effective for foreshadowing potential threats or conflicts.

Common error

Avoid overusing the phrase "air of danger" in everyday situations where the threat is minimal; reserve it for scenarios with genuine, palpable risk to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "air of danger" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or adjectival modifier to describe a setting, person, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "air of danger" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to evoke feelings of unease or potential threat. Although categorized as rare in frequency, Ludwig AI analysis of its usage across sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The New Yorker shows it's primarily used in news and media, often to create suspense in narratives. Related phrases such as "sense of peril" and "atmosphere of menace" offer similar connotations. When using "air of danger", it's best to reserve it for situations with genuine, palpable risk to maintain its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of peril

Focuses more on the feeling of impending harm.

atmosphere of menace

Highlights the threatening environment or surrounding.

aura of threat

Emphasizes a subtle but pervasive feeling of danger.

hint of risk

Suggests a less intense level of danger, more of a possibility.

undertone of menace

Indicates a subtle, underlying feeling of threat.

feeling of jeopardy

Highlights a sense of being at risk or insecure.

suspicion of danger

Emphasizes the perceived possibility of something dangerous.

climate of threat

Implies a broader, more established dangerous environment.

whiff of danger

Suggests a brief, almost imperceptible sense of danger.

shadow of risk

Emphasizes the potential negative consequences or threats.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "air of danger" in a sentence?

Use "air of danger" to describe an atmosphere or a person's demeanor that suggests potential threat or risk. For example: "The abandoned building had an unsettling "air of danger" about it."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "air of danger"?

Consider using "hint of risk" or "undertone of menace" if you want to convey a subtler sense of potential threat.

Is "air of danger" formal or informal language?

"Air of danger" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's most effective in narrative or descriptive writing where creating a specific mood is important.

What's the difference between "air of danger" and "sense of danger"?

"Air of danger" describes an external atmosphere or quality, while "sense of danger" refers to an internal feeling or intuition about potential harm.