at stake

USAGE SUMMARY

"at stake" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something which could be gained or lost depending on the outcome of a situation. For example: "The city's future is at stake in the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's nothing at stake".

The New York Times - Books

What's at stake here?

The New York Times

Fortunes are at stake.

The Economist

That's what's at stake.

The New York Times

"There's more at stake".

The New York Times

First, what's at stake.

The New York Times - Food

But what's at stake?

The New York Times - Arts

West title at stake.

The New Yorker

Pride is at stake.

The Economist

Nothing was at stake".

The New York Times - Tech

He was at stake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "at stake" with strong verbs to emphasize the significance of the situation. For example, "lives are at stake" carries more weight than "something is at stake".

Common error

Avoid using "at stake" when the potential loss or gain is trivial. This phrase implies a significant consequence, so reserve it for situations of genuine importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at stake" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or clause, indicating what is at risk or could be lost or gained in a particular situation. Ludwig examples show this usage clearly, reinforcing the phrase's role in highlighting the potential consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at stake" is a prepositional phrase indicating what could be gained or lost in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and it is very commonly used, especially in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "at stake", be clear about what is being risked and avoid using it in trivial situations. Alternatives such as "in jeopardy" or "at risk" may be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase serves to highlight the importance and potential consequences, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at stake here

Adds emphasis on the location of what is at risk.

in jeopardy

Focuses more directly on the potential for loss or harm.

at risk

Emphasizes the possibility of negative consequences or danger.

in danger

Similar to "at risk", but often implies a more immediate threat.

on the line

Suggests that something is being risked and could be lost.

at issue

Highlights the point of contention or the matter under consideration.

under threat

Indicates that something is being threatened.

at hazard

Similar to "at risk", but perhaps less common in modern usage.

at peril

Emphasizes the danger or risk involved.

at hazard

Similar to "at risk", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on potential danger.

FAQs

How to use "at stake" in a sentence?

You can use "at stake" to indicate that something could be gained or lost depending on the outcome of a situation. For example, "The company's reputation is at stake."

What can I say instead of "at stake"?

You can use alternatives like "in jeopardy", "at risk", or "on the line" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "at stake" or "at risk"?

Both "at stake" and "at risk" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "At stake" emphasizes what could be gained or lost, while "at risk" focuses more on the potential for harm.

What's the difference between "at stake" and "at issue"?

"At stake" refers to something that is risked and may be lost or gained, while "at issue" refers to the specific matter or point of contention that is being discussed or debated.