at risk of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at risk of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is in a vulnerable situation or likely to suffer harm or loss. For example: "The low-income families living in underserved communities are at risk of not having access to proper healthcare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are at risk of breaking away".

The New Yorker

Morocco is at risk of this outcome.

The New York Times

Few contracts are at risk of cancellation.

The Economist

"Perhaps, even, at risk of extinction".

The New York Times

Who's at risk of flooding?

The Guardian

We are at risk of over-correcting".

The Guardian

"It's not at risk of unravelling.

The Guardian - Sport

Is Britain at risk of "going bankrupt"?

The Guardian - Business

Who is at risk of the disease?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This puts them at risk of hypothermia".

The Guardian

That is at risk of going.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at risk of" to clearly communicate potential negative consequences or vulnerabilities. Be specific about what the subject is at risk of, and the potential harm involved.

Common error

Avoid using "at risk of" excessively in sensationalized or alarmist ways. Ensure the risk is real and supported by evidence, not just speculation, in order to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at risk of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating potential exposure to danger, harm, or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It is used to highlight vulnerability to a specific threat, as seen in examples like "Few contracts are at risk of cancellation."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at risk of" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone or something is vulnerable to a potential danger or negative outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in written English. Found predominantly in news and media sources, the phrase carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for a broad range of contexts. When using "at risk of", it's important to clearly specify the potential harm or danger being referenced to ensure clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "in danger of" or "vulnerable to" to fine-tune the message based on the specific context and desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in danger of

Emphasizes immediate threat or peril.

vulnerable to

Focuses on susceptibility to harm or negative impact.

susceptible to

Highlights a predisposition to be affected by something.

exposed to

Indicates a lack of protection from a harmful element.

liable to

Suggests a probability of experiencing something negative.

prone to

Implies a natural tendency to experience something.

in jeopardy of

Highlights the potential for loss or failure.

under threat of

Stresses the existence of a specific threat.

facing the possibility of

Focuses on the potential occurrence of an event.

running the risk of

Emphasizes the act of potentially encountering danger.

FAQs

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

Use "at risk of" to indicate that someone or something is in a vulnerable situation where they might experience harm or loss. For example, "The endangered species is at risk of extinction."

What are some alternatives to "at risk of"?

You can use alternatives like "in danger of", "vulnerable to", or "susceptible to depending" on the specific context.

Is it better to say "at risk of" or "in danger of"?

Both phrases are similar, but "in danger of" often suggests a more immediate or severe threat than "at risk of". The best choice depends on the degree of threat you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "at risk of"?

When something is described as "at risk of", it means that it faces a significant possibility of experiencing something negative, such as harm, loss, or failure.