at emergency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at emergency" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to urgent situations or crises, but the correct expression would be "in an emergency." Example: "Please call 911 if you find yourself at emergency."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then she was at Emergency.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are skilled at emergency evacuations.

The New York Times

Friction at emergency scenes is legendary.

The New York Times

The lines at emergency food centers are growing.

The New York Times

But what about when patients appear at emergency rooms?

The New York Times

They have bickered at emergency scenes, sometimes getting physical.

The New York Times

Underdiagnosing a stroke at emergency may have devastating consequences on patients.

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health

A small percentage of the population represents a disproportionate number of attendances at emergency departments (ED).

Heart, Lung and Circulation

The extent of arch repair at emergency surgery for acute type A dissection is controversial.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

Many seek care at emergency departments and some require hospital admission due to late presentation.

International Journal of Drug Policy

Without access to sanitation, refugees at emergency camps are at a high risk of contracting diseases.

Science of The Total Environment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct preposition. "In an emergency" or "during an emergency" are the standard and grammatically sound alternatives to the non-standard phrase "at emergency".

Common error

Avoid using "at" when referring to emergencies; it's a common mistake to say "at emergency" instead of the correct form, "in an emergency". This simple change significantly improves the clarity and correctness of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at emergency" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this, suggesting alternatives like "in an emergency". While commonly used, especially in certain contexts as shown by Ludwig examples, its non-standard nature impacts its acceptability in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

58%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at emergency" appears frequently across diverse sources, including news, media, and scientific publications, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, standard alternatives such as "in an emergency" or "during an emergency" are preferred for accuracy. Its purpose is to describe situations needing urgent responses, yet its non-standard usage makes it less appropriate for formal contexts. Therefore, writers should opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and correctness in their writing. Although it appears frequently, its register is variable. Using correct prepositions like "in" or "during" enhances credibility and maintains linguistic standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an emergency

Replaces "at" with the correct preposition "in" to indicate a state of emergency.

during an emergency

Uses "during" to specify that something occurs within the timeframe of an emergency.

in crisis situations

Employs a broader term "crisis situations" to encompass various emergency scenarios.

when there's an emergency

Introduces a conditional clause to describe actions taken when an emergency arises.

under emergency conditions

Frames the situation as operating "under" specific emergency conditions.

in urgent circumstances

Substitutes "emergency" with "urgent circumstances" to highlight the immediate need for action.

in critical moments

Uses "critical moments" to emphasize the importance and urgency of the situation.

in dire straits

Replaces "emergency" with the idiom "dire straits" to describe a severe or desperate situation.

during times of crisis

Specifies that actions are performed "during" periods characterized by crisis.

when facing an emergency

Highlights the act of "facing" an emergency, focusing on confrontation and response.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "at emergency" in a sentence?

The phrase "at emergency" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use "in an emergency" or "during an emergency" instead.

What can I say instead of "at emergency"?

You can use alternatives like "in an emergency", "during an emergency", or "in crisis situations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at emergency" or "in an emergency"?

"In an emergency" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "At emergency" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "at emergency" and "during an emergency"?

"At emergency" is not a recognized or grammatically correct phrase. "During an emergency" is a correct phrase indicating that something happens while an emergency is ongoing.