can be threatening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be threatening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has the potential to cause fear or harm in a particular context. Example: "Certain animals can be threatening when they feel cornered or threatened themselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The realization that you've been making decisions based on faulty intuition can be threatening to your self-esteem.

Harvard University

There are people, he says, who simply don't easily fit into our existing categories and their ambiguity can be threatening.

Independent

They suffer from a constant and bizarrely eroticized awareness that everything around them, animate or inanimate, is (or can be) threatening.

The New York Times

When a longtime employee suddenly comes in, full of ideas and wanting to make changes, it can be threatening to a minority.

The Guardian

And Robbie Findley, who has Davies's game-changing speed, has shown little indication that he can be threatening at the international level.

The New York Times - Sports

In the educational world — as in business — fundamental shifts can be threatening to the status quo, leading to pushback and relegating them to token or boutique adoption.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Nothing real can be threatened, nothing unreal exists" Tidal is platinum.

Independent

The good done by the education in the secure unit can be threatened too.

Independent

The rapper Tweeted: "'Nothing real can be threatened, nothing unreal exists'.

Independent

When women assert their independence, men's sense of self and identity can be threatened.

The Guardian - Opinion

The validity of a network meta-analysis, however, can be threatened by inconsistency in evidence within the network.

Value in Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be threatening", consider the specific context to ensure the intensity of the threat is accurately conveyed. Stronger alternatives may be more appropriate in situations with significant risk.

Common error

Avoid using "can be threatening" in situations where the potential harm is minimal or unlikely. Choose more moderate language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be threatening" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the potential of something to cause fear, harm, or unease. It indicates a possibility rather than a certainty, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be threatening" is a versatile expression used to describe the potential for something to cause fear, harm, or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. When using this phrase, consider the degree of potential harm and choose language that accurately reflects the situation. Alternatives like "may pose a threat" or "could be dangerous" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Although the phrase is suitable for general usage, it is more frequently found in "News & Media" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may pose a threat

Replaces the more descriptive "can be threatening" with a direct statement of posing a threat.

could be dangerous

Focuses on the potential for harm or danger.

might be perilous

Emphasizes a high level of risk and danger.

can prove hazardous

Highlights the potential for causing harm or damage.

may become intimidating

Shifts the focus to the potential for causing fear or unease.

could turn menacing

Suggests a transformation into something that is threatening.

might be alarming

Focuses on causing concern or anxiety.

can be unsettling

Highlights the potential to disturb or make someone uncomfortable.

may be detrimental

Focuses on the potential for causing harm or damage, often in a non-physical sense.

could undermine

Emphasizes the potential to weaken or damage something.

FAQs

How can I use "can be threatening" in a sentence?

You can use "can be threatening" to describe something that has the potential to cause harm or fear, for example: "Certain animals "can be threatening" when they feel cornered."

What are some alternatives to "can be threatening"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "may pose a threat", "could be dangerous", or "might be perilous".

Is it better to say "can be threatening" or "is threatening"?

"Can be threatening" indicates a potential or possibility, while "is threatening" suggests an immediate or present danger. The choice depends on the specific situation and the level of certainty.

What's the difference between "can be threatening" and "can be intimidated"?

"Can be threatening" implies the potential to cause fear or harm to others, while "can be intimidated" suggests the potential to be made fearful or apprehensive by others. They describe opposite roles in a threatening dynamic.