at risk for

USAGE SUMMARY

'at risk for' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone or something is in danger of experiencing a negative outcome. For example, "People who smoke are at risk for developing serious lung diseases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you at risk for foreclosure?

The New York Times

What types of couples are most at risk for infidelities?

The New York Times - Books

Teenagers are also at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

The New York Times - Health

It puts the rural people at risk for my luxury.

The New Yorker

"We're at risk for a correction," he said.

The New York Times

Is the cancer I'm at risk for deadly or treatable?

The New York Times

He's putting his body at risk, for one thing.

The New York Times - Sports

"That puts them at risk for cyclical swings.

The New York Times

"Left untreated," Dr. Koplewicz says, "these kids are more at risk for substance and alcohol abuse, and more at risk for suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and suicide completion".

The New York Times - Health

Our results show that this is at risk for Haiti.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Patients on natalizumab are at risk for opportunistic infections.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at risk for", clearly specify what negative outcome or condition the subject is susceptible to. This provides clarity and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "at risk for" without identifying specific contributing factors. Simply stating someone is "at risk" without context lacks actionable information and weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at risk for" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate susceptibility or vulnerability. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts. The provided examples show its role in describing potential negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at risk for" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express susceptibility to a particular negative outcome or condition. As Ludwig AI highlights, its versatility allows for use across various registers, from formal scientific publications to general news reports. The phrase's communicative purpose is primarily informative and cautionary, prompting awareness of potential dangers. When using "at risk for", ensure you clearly specify the risk factor and the potential outcome to maximize clarity and impact. Alternatives like "vulnerable to" or "susceptible to" can be used for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in danger of

Stresses the state of being threatened, providing a more dramatic tone compared to the neutral "at risk for".

in jeopardy of

Implies a serious threat or danger, conveying a greater sense of urgency than "at risk for".

vulnerable to

Focuses on susceptibility or openness to being harmed, differing slightly from the proactive sense of "at risk for".

susceptible to

Emphasizes a predisposition to being affected by something, indicating less immediate danger than "at risk for".

under threat of

Emphasizes an active threat or danger, suggesting a more imminent risk than "at risk for".

prone to

Highlights a tendency or inclination towards something, suggesting a habitual pattern more than a looming threat.

predisposed to

Suggests an inherent tendency, emphasizing genetic or biological factors rather than external dangers.

liable to

Indicates a probability or legal responsibility, carrying a sense of obligation not present in "at risk for".

exposed to

Focuses on the condition of being subjected to something, with a nuance of being uncovered or revealed to potential harm.

facing the possibility of

Highlights uncertainty, indicating that the negative outcome is not certain, just possible.

FAQs

How can I use "at risk for" in a sentence?

Use "at risk for" to indicate that someone or something is susceptible to a negative outcome. For example, "Smokers are "at risk for" developing lung cancer."

What is a good alternative to "at risk for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "vulnerable to", "susceptible to", or "in danger of".

Is it better to say "at risk of" or "at risk for"?

While both "at risk of" and "at risk for" are acceptable, "at risk for" is generally preferred when indicating a specific condition or outcome. "At risk of" is broader. For example, it's more common to say "at risk for heart disease" than "at risk of heart disease".

What factors determine if someone is "at risk for" a particular disease?

Risk factors vary depending on the disease but often include genetics, lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and pre-existing conditions. These factors increase the likelihood of someone being vulnerable to developing the disease.