at large risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at large risk" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "at great risk." You can use it when discussing situations or individuals that are in significant danger or facing serious consequences.
Example: "The community is at great risk of flooding due to the heavy rainfall."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He scolds the federal government for violating "simple, sound banking principles" by lending money to students with "no credit history" but praises "private banks that, at large risk to themselves," do the same thing.

The New York Times - Books

Urban populations are at large risk from climate change and particularly extreme heat events.

Urban Climate

"Long-terms scars and ulcers that don't heal are at large risk for developing skin cancer," says Dr. Kroshinsky, who is also Director of Pediatric Dermatology and Inpatient Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Having fled an Israeli raid on their hideout, during which several of their colleagues were killed, they were considered an at-large risk for an imminent attack.

The New York Times

This is supported by a longitudinal follow up among the VIP-participants showing that over a 10 year period, the younger, leaner, and those free of health problems were at largest risk of weight gain [ 23].

BMC Public Health

"Otherwise Europe will be at very large risk".

The New York Times

"They need to change the policies in Greece and change the policies in Europe, otherwise Europe will be at very large risk".

The New York Times

Trump, at large political risk, has invaded this closed, self-reinforcing circle and is doing the country a huge service in questioning the basic national security, economic, and trade assumptions that undergird the conventional wisdom and current world order, such as it is, founded in the late 1940s by a victorious America.

Huffington Post

Although vaccination may protect the pilgrims from invasive disease, our data show that returning pilgrims represent a sizeable reservoir of a highly transmissible and persistent W135 clone, which places their unvaccinated family contacts (and possibly the community at large) at risk of invasive disease.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Rising temperatures and the spread of tropical illnesses hit older people hard – that puts Florida's large retiree population at great risk.

The Guardian

Children from migrant families are at even larger risk for uninsurance due to their social and economic status.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potential harm or negative outcomes, prefer using the phrase "at great risk" or "at high risk". This ensures clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "at large risk" with situations where "at large" means "unconfined" or "in general". Use "at great risk" to denote high danger, and reserve "at large" for describing something that is still free or general.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at large risk" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, attempting to describe a state of being exposed to danger. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this is not a standard or grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at large risk" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to convey a state of significant danger or vulnerability, but standard alternatives like "at great risk" or "at high risk" are preferred for clarity and correctness. These alternatives are more widely accepted and avoid potential confusion. When writing, prioritize precision and grammatical accuracy to ensure your message is clearly understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at great risk

Replaces "large" with "great" to use a more grammatically standard expression of high risk.

at high risk

Substitutes "large" with "high", which is a more common and accepted way to describe a significant level of risk.

in serious danger

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct and universally understood expression indicating severe peril.

highly vulnerable

Focuses on the susceptibility aspect of risk, indicating a high degree of weakness or exposure.

at considerable risk

Uses "considerable" to emphasize the substantial amount of risk involved.

at substantial risk

Similar to "considerable risk", this highlights the significant level of danger.

facing significant peril

Indicates that someone or something is encountering notable danger or threat.

in grave danger

Implies a very serious and immediate threat, higher than just 'at risk'.

exposed to significant hazard

Highlights the exposure to a specific danger or hazard.

under threat

A general term indicating that someone or something is being threatened.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "at large risk"?

The correct way to express a high level of danger or vulnerability is to say "at great risk" or "at high risk".

Can I use "at large" to describe risk?

While "at large" usually means unconfined or general, it's not standard to use it with "risk". Instead, use "at great risk" or similar phrases to accurately convey the meaning of high danger.

What are some alternatives to "at large risk"?

You can use alternatives such as "in serious danger", "highly vulnerable", or "at considerable risk" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at large risk" or "at great risk"?

"At great risk" is the correct and more common phrase to use. "At large risk" is not considered standard English.