at risk of being

USAGE SUMMARY

'at risk of being' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has the potential to happen or be affected by something else. For example: "The vulnerable species of fish is at risk of being overfished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recent research indicates that 35% of jobs in the UK are "at risk" of being automated.

The Guardian

Creativity is at risk of being rebooted as re-creativity.

The Guardian

But historical links are at risk of being erased.

The Guardian

Journalism is currently at risk of being conflated with terrorism.

The Guardian

Poor people are unnecessarily at risk of being digitally disconnected.

Harvard Business Review

Today that direct link is at risk of being lost.

The Guardian - Tech

Leaders are at risk of being corrupted by power.

Harvard Business Review

Now, though, that progress is at risk of being overturned.

The Washington Post

Nothing is at risk of being taken away or reduced.

The Guardian - Sport

"They're at risk of being exploited criminally and sexually.

The New York Times - Magazine

Only GMAC seems at risk of being nationalised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at risk of being" to clearly indicate a potential negative outcome. Ensure the context specifies what is causing the risk and what the potential consequence is for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at risk of being" when the outcome is already certain. This phrase indicates a possibility, not a guaranteed result. Use more definitive language if the event is already happening or is unavoidable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at risk of being" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is in a vulnerable state where something undesirable might occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at risk of being" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to express potential vulnerability or exposure to a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and suitable for various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic settings. While the phrase is prevalent, remember to consider the subtle differences in meaning when choosing alternatives like ""in danger of"" or "vulnerable to". To ensure clarity, always specify both the source of the risk and the potential consequence. Avoid its use when describing certainties, as it denotes a possibility, not a guaranteed outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in danger of

This alternative is more concise, focusing directly on the state of danger.

in jeopardy of

This alternative suggests a higher level of threat or danger, often implying serious consequences.

vulnerable to

This alternative emphasizes the susceptibility of something to negative effects.

susceptible to

Similar to vulnerable, this highlights a predisposition to being affected by something.

under threat of

This alternative explicitly states the presence of a threat, emphasizing the external pressure.

liable to be

This alternative suggests a probability or likelihood of something happening, often with negative implications.

prone to

This alternative indicates a tendency or inclination towards a particular outcome, usually negative.

exposed to

This alternative highlights the lack of protection or shielding from a harmful influence.

running the risk of

This alternative emphasizes the active acceptance of potential negative consequences.

facing the possibility of

This alternative is more descriptive, explicitly stating the potential for something to occur.

FAQs

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

Use "at risk of being" to describe a situation where something or someone is in a vulnerable position that could lead to a negative outcome. For example, "The historical documents are "in danger of" lost or damaged."

What are some alternatives to "at risk of being"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""in danger of"", "vulnerable to", or "liable to be" to express a similar meaning.

Is it always negative to be "at risk of being" something?

Yes, the phrase "at risk of being" generally implies a negative or undesirable potential outcome. It highlights vulnerability and the possibility of harm or loss.

Which is correct, "at risk of being" or "at risk to be"?

"At risk of being" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "At risk to be" is grammatically incorrect in this context. The preposition "of" requires a gerund (being) rather than an infinitive (to be).