could prove fatal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could prove fatal" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to express a potential consequence or outcome that could be harmful or deadly. It conveys a sense of warning or caution. Example: "If left untreated, the infection could prove fatal." This means that if the infection is not treated, it could result in death. Another example: "The loss of oxygen in the spaceship could prove fatal for the astronauts." This means that the lack of oxygen could have deadly consequences for the astronauts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His weaknesses, though, could prove fatal.

The Guardian - Opinion

His ill-considered decision to double down on Afghanistan could prove fatal.

The New York Times

Only one of them can survive and a false move could prove fatal.

The Guardian

She feared that a fall in a dangerous place, like the subway, could prove fatal.

The New York Times

Given the colonial quantities of tea going down, this could prove fatal.

The Guardian - Music

For some charities and social enterprises, this paucity of referrals could prove fatal.

The Guardian

Was it an oversight in the strategic planning that could prove fatal?

The New York Times - Sports

This slow death of a thousand cuts has been going on too long and further deep cuts could prove fatal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some feared that the latest violence could prove fatal to Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, such as they've been.

The New York Times

"The Greek crisis revealed two defects in the Maastricht treaty [that established the single currency] which could prove fatal.

The Guardian - Business

It could prove fatal to a young firm if problems emerge only after the products are up for sale on the Apple and Google app stores.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could prove fatal" to indicate a potential outcome that carries a high risk of death or severe harm. It's most effective when emphasizing the seriousness of a situation or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "could prove fatal" when describing situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly harmful. Save it for scenarios where the potential consequences are genuinely life-threatening or devastating to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could prove fatal" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a potential and serious outcome. It serves to highlight the possibility of death or a similarly devastating result stemming from a particular action, situation, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could prove fatal" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that serves as a potent warning about potentially deadly consequences. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys a serious tone and is intended to emphasize the gravity of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While alternatives like "might result in death" and "can be life-threatening" exist, the phrase's directness and clarity make it a powerful tool in conveying risk. The most important thing is to not overuse "could prove fatal" in less serious contexts and to use it to indicate a potential outcome that carries a high risk of death or severe harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carries a risk of death

Directly states the possibility of death.

can be life-threatening

Highlights the immediate danger to life.

could have deadly consequences

Emphasizes the severity of the possible outcomes.

presents a mortal danger

Emphasizes the extreme risk involved.

might result in death

Focuses specifically on death as the potential outcome.

potentially lethal

More concise, using an adjective to describe the potential.

might turn out deadly

Adds an element of chance or unpredictability.

may cause fatality

Uses a more formal and statistical term for death.

may lead to mortality

Uses more formal and clinical language.

could end in tragedy

Focuses on the tragic nature of the potential outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "could prove fatal" in a sentence?

Use "could prove fatal" to emphasize a potential outcome that involves serious risk of death. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols "could prove fatal"."

What are some alternatives to "could prove fatal"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might result in death", "can be life-threatening", or "carries a risk of death", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does "could prove fatal" mean?

"Could prove fatal" means that something has the potential to cause death. It implies a significant risk and warns of possible severe consequences.

Is "could be fatal" the same as "could prove fatal"?

Yes, "could be fatal" and "could prove fatal" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a potential for death, although "could prove fatal" sometimes implies a process or unfolding of events that leads to the deadly outcome.