being vulnerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being vulnerable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of susceptibility or exposure to harm, risk, or negative influences. Example: "The community is being vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which could lead to severe flooding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Health

Security

Vulnerability assessment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While the Eastern region was found to have the highest average vulnerability of approximately 73%, the Upper West region had the least vulnerability with about 21% of the population being vulnerable to poverty.

Health Economics Review

Cured, too, from the "cancer of being vulnerable to constantly changing feelings".

The New Yorker

Not all of those referred are subsequently judged as being vulnerable to radicalisation.

The Guardian

They are torn between expressing themselves openly and being vulnerable to the state".

The New York Times - Magazine

Motorcycle makers are not alone in being vulnerable to customer wrath when they fiddle with heritage.

The New York Times

Amnesty documents evidence of refugees being "vulnerable to attack and robbery by armed groups".

The Guardian

Dracula in turn inspired the film Nosferatu (1922), in which a vampire was first depicted as being vulnerable to sunlight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The IMF also highlighted the risk of highly indebted people being vulnerable to "income and interest rate shocks".

Independent

Some will argue that this as an example of civil society organisations (CSOs) being vulnerable to corruption and political capture.

The Guardian

These children were let down by many different people along the way to being vulnerable to abuse.

The Guardian

These fugues sound to me like sensory overload, which intellectually gifted people are recognised as being vulnerable to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

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

Common error

Avoid using "being vulnerable to" without specifying the type of vulnerability. For example, instead of saying "the system is being vulnerable", specify what the system is vulnerable to, such as "the system is being vulnerable to cyber attacks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being vulnerable to" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its susceptibility to a particular condition or threat. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from poverty to cyber attacks, indicating a state of potential harm or risk.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being vulnerable to" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a state of susceptibility or potential harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal settings. It's important to specify the type of vulnerability to maintain clarity and avoid overgeneralizations. Related phrases like "being susceptible to" or "being at risk of" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively communicate risk and susceptibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being susceptible to

Indicates a tendency to be affected by something, often a disease or negative influence. More formal than the original phrase.

being prone to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency towards experiencing something, usually negative. Slightly less formal.

being at risk of

Emphasizes the possibility of encountering danger or harm. Similar in formality to the original phrase.

being exposed to

Highlights the state of being open to potential harm or influence. Slightly more literal in meaning.

being open to

Implies a lack of protection or resistance to something, whether positive or negative. Broader in scope.

being subject to

Indicates that one is likely to experience or be affected by something, often a rule or regulation. More formal and less specific to harm.

being sensitive to

Highlights a heightened awareness or responsiveness, which can be either positive or negative. Less direct in suggesting harm.

being defenseless against

Focuses on the lack of ability to protect oneself from something. More emphatic than the original phrase.

being unguarded against

Implies a lack of vigilance or preparedness for potential harm. More literary in tone.

laying oneself open to

Suggests a deliberate action that creates vulnerability. More active and less common.

FAQs

What does "being vulnerable to" mean?

The phrase "being vulnerable to" describes a state of susceptibility or openness to potential harm, risk, or negative influence. It suggests a lack of protection or resistance against something.

What can I say instead of "being vulnerable to"?

You can use alternatives like "being susceptible to", "being prone to", or "being at risk of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "being vulnerable to" and "being exposed to"?

"Being vulnerable to" implies a weakness or lack of defense, while "being exposed to" simply means being open to something, without necessarily implying a negative outcome. Exposure can lead to vulnerability if there's no adequate protection.

In what contexts is "being vulnerable to" most commonly used?

The phrase "being vulnerable to" is frequently used in contexts related to health, security, and social issues to describe populations, systems, or entities at risk. For example, children are often described as "being vulnerable to" exploitation, or computer systems as "being vulnerable to" cyberattacks.