be at risk of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be at risk of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where one is in potential danger of something bad happening. For example, "Many people living in poverty are at risk of going hungry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women continue to be at risk of attack.

The Guardian

The plane will be at risk of stalling.

The Guardian - Tech

These children could be at risk of radicalisation, he said.

The Guardian

Might he be at risk of harm or suicide?

The New York Times

Bloggers would not be at risk of exemplary damages for comments posted by readers.

The Guardian

These could be that more women and girls will be at risk of this devastating practice".

The Guardian

"Anyone surfing the internet could potentially be at risk of arbitrary detention and imprisonment," it added.

The Guardian

If not, then eight of Italy's lenders could be at risk of collapse.

The Guardian

He even says Australia could be at risk of losing its AAA credit rating.

The Guardian

He could lead a minority government, but would be at risk of losing a confidence vote.

The Guardian - Business

Should he do so again, he will be at risk of an eight-day ban.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be at risk of", ensure the context clearly specifies the potential negative outcome. For example, "The company is at risk of losing its market share."

Common error

Avoid using "be at risk of" without specifying what the risk is. Saying something is "at risk" is less impactful than stating "at risk of collapse" or "at risk of failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be at risk of" functions as a predicative expression, indicating a state of potential vulnerability or exposure to something harmful. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to describe populations, systems, or entities facing potential negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be at risk of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something is vulnerable to a potential danger or negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, to inform and warn about possible threats. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the potential risk to maximize impact and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "be in danger of" or "be vulnerable to" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in danger of

Emphasizes the state of being threatened by something.

be susceptible to

Highlights a predisposition or vulnerability to something.

be vulnerable to

Similar to "susceptible to", but often implies a weaker defense.

be exposed to

Focuses on the lack of protection from a harmful element.

face the threat of

Highlights the active presence of a threat.

run the risk of

Implies a conscious decision or action that leads to potential danger.

be liable to

Suggests a legal or probable consequence.

be prone to

Indicates a natural tendency or inclination towards something negative.

be under threat of

Focuses on a menacing or impending danger.

be at the mercy of

Emphasizes a lack of control and dependence on external forces.

FAQs

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

Use "be at risk of" to indicate that someone or something is in a situation where they might experience something harmful or negative. For instance, "Children in poverty "are at risk of" malnutrition".

What are some alternatives to saying "be at risk of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be in danger of", "be vulnerable to", or "run the risk of".

Is it correct to say "be at risks of" instead of "be at risk of"?

No, the correct form is "be at risk of". The phrase "be at risks of" is grammatically incorrect. "Risk" should be singular in this context.

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

"Be at risk of" and "be in danger of" are very similar. "Be in danger of" often implies a more immediate or severe threat, while "be at risk of" can refer to a broader range of potential negative outcomes.