become vulnerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become vulnerable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is exposed to potential harm or risk. Example: "Without proper security measures, the system may become vulnerable to cyber attacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you don't, you become vulnerable to becoming a victim of that behaviour," said Davison.

The Guardian

Under stress, they become vulnerable to diseases and destructive insects.

The New York Times

Electorates become vulnerable to extreme populism from left or right.

The Guardian - Books

Thus they become vulnerable to deviations that render these assumptions invalid.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

These managed forests have become vulnerable to climate change, specifically to increasingly severe drought.

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

It is recognized that companies become vulnerable to various supply chain disruptions and risks.

International Journal of Production Economics

Dry eyes become vulnerable to painful abrasions of the cornea, which can distort vision.

Stanford University

The tire wear also causes drivers to lose speed, so they become vulnerable to being passed.

The New York Times - Sports

People get very upset, and they become vulnerable to extremist appeals.

The New Yorker

He said that the system had become vulnerable to "scam" Web sites and "fraudulent operations".

The New York Times

They would become vulnerable to black men in other public facilities as well, especially swimming pools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become vulnerable to", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific threat or risk being faced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences where the subject acted upon is unclear. Instead of 'Mistakes become vulnerable to being made', write 'People become vulnerable to making mistakes'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become vulnerable to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transition into a state of increased susceptibility or risk. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It highlights a change in condition, as seen in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

42%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become vulnerable to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a transition into a state of increased susceptibility or risk. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. To ensure clarity, clearly identify the specific threat or risk when using this phrase. While alternatives like "become susceptible to" or "be at risk of" exist, "become vulnerable to" effectively conveys a change in condition, and is applicable in a broad range of professional and general communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become susceptible to

Focuses on a predisposition to be affected by something, often a disease or influence.

become prone to

Implies a natural tendency or inclination toward something, usually negative.

be at risk of

Highlights the potential danger or threat associated with a particular situation.

be exposed to

Emphasizes the state of being subjected to something, whether harmful or not.

leave oneself open to

Suggests a deliberate or negligent action that creates an opportunity for harm.

make oneself an easy target for

Highlights the increased likelihood of being victimized or attacked.

render oneself defenseless against

Focuses on the loss of protective measures and increased vulnerability.

lay oneself open to

Similar to 'leave oneself open to', but with a slightly more passive connotation.

find oneself susceptible to

Emphasizes the discovery of an existing vulnerability.

succumb to

Implies a yielding or submission to something negative, often after a struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "become vulnerable to" in a sentence?

You can use "become vulnerable to" to indicate that someone or something is now susceptible to harm or attack. For example, "Without proper security, the system can "become vulnerable to" cyberattacks".

What are some alternatives to "become vulnerable to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "become susceptible to", "be at risk of", or "become prone to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "become vulnerable to" or "is vulnerable to"?

"Become vulnerable to" suggests a change in state, while "is vulnerable to" describes a current condition. Use "become vulnerable to" when something transitions into a susceptible state.

What's the difference between "become vulnerable to" and "become exposed to"?

"Become exposed to" simply means being subjected to something, while "become vulnerable to" implies a weakness or susceptibility that makes the subject more likely to be harmed by that exposure.