be at risk

USAGE SUMMARY

"be at risk" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to be in a situation where there is a possibility of harm or danger. Example: The construction workers knew they would be at risk if they didn't follow proper safety protocols.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Civilization would be at risk.

The New York Times

They said we would be at risk.

Independent

But that may now be at risk.

The Economist

Privacy can be at risk.

Yale University

But even that could be at risk.

The Guardian

"But it has to be at risk".

The Guardian

Otherwise your property could be at risk".

The Guardian - Money

"Long-term bonds may be at risk.

The New York Times

The dividend could also be at risk.

The Guardian - Business

Almost everyone might ultimately be at risk.

The Washington Post

Your money could be at risk.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be at risk", clearly specify what the potential harm or danger is. This provides context and makes the statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid generic statements like "Everything is at risk". Always provide specific details about what might happen and to whom or what.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be at risk" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject as being in a situation where there is potential for harm or danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be at risk" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate the potential for danger or harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. It's particularly prevalent in news and media, serving to inform or warn about possible negative outcomes. When employing this phrase, it's best to provide clear context about the nature of the risk to enhance understanding and impact. Avoid overuse in vague contexts to maintain clarity and avoid diluting the message. Remember to make clear what and whom is at risk for a stronger, more direct communication. In summary, while being a common phrase, the user must take into account that its efficiency relies on how well the user provides context of the risk, potential damages, and the subject affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be exposed to danger

Emphasizes openness and lack of protection from possible harm. This variation focuses on the condition of being unprotected and subject to potential threats.

be in jeopardy

Emphasizes the condition of being threatened or endangered, highlighting the precariousness of the situation. The original phrase describes being exposed to the possibility of harm, while this stresses a state of uncertainty.

run the risk of

Emphasizes the action of taking a chance that something bad might happen. Here, the agency of the subject is highlighted, contrasting with the original phrase's state of potentiality.

be endangered

Highlights the severe potential for extinction or complete harm. Suggests a greater level of threat than the original phrase.

face potential danger

Focuses on the aspect of confronting possible harm or peril. This alternative highlights the act of facing danger, whereas the original phrase emphasizes the state of being exposed to it.

be under threat

Suggests an active danger targeting the subject, creating a sense of imminent harm. The original phrase focuses more on the possibility, while this emphasizes a direct menace.

be vulnerable

Highlights a state of susceptibility to harm or attack, denoting weakness or defenselessness. While the original phrase implies potential danger, this focuses on inherent weakness.

be susceptible to

Highlights sensitivity or tendency to be affected by something negative. It suggests a predisposition rather than a mere possibility of harm.

be prone to

Indicates a natural inclination or tendency towards experiencing something negative. This alternative conveys a predisposition, where the original phrase suggests external forces.

be liable to

Implies a legal or probabilistic likelihood of experiencing something undesirable. It's more formal and suggests a higher probability than the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "be at risk" to indicate potential danger or harm. For example, "Without proper safety measures, workers "be at risk" of injury".

What's a less formal way to say "be at risk"?

In informal contexts, you might use phrases like "be in trouble" or "be in danger" as alternatives to "be at risk".

Which is correct: "at risk" or "in risk"?

"At risk" is the correct prepositional phrase. "In risk" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "be at risk of" and "run the risk of"?

"Be at risk of" describes a state of potential danger, while "run the risk of" implies a deliberate action that could lead to harm.