danger signs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "danger signs" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to indicators or warnings of potential danger or problems. For example, "The sudden drop in temperature are danger signs that a storm is approaching." Alternative expressions include "warning signs" and "red flags."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But danger signs are everywhere.

The Guardian

Already we are seeing the danger signs.

The New York Times

Those trends could be viewed as early danger signs.

The New York Times

Other JPMorgan filings are flashing danger signs, too.

The New York Times

There are so many danger signs on the horizon".

The New York Times

"So you don't listen to the danger signs".

The New York Times

Much more than that and the danger signs start flashing.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are no universally recognized pictorial aides for the danger signs in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health

Danger signs.

Forbes

Talk about danger signs.

Forbes

But danger signs are evident.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In economic or political writing, pair the phrase with active verbs like "emerging", "flashing" or "ignored" to create a sense of urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "dangerous signs" when you mean indicators of risk. A "danger sign" is a warning about a hazard, whereas a "dangerous sign" suggests that the physical sign itself (the wood or metal) might fall and hurt someone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "danger signs" functions as a compound noun phrase where "danger" acts as an attributive noun modifying the head noun "signs". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the direct object of verbs related to perception and cognition, such as "recognize", "identify" or "ignore".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "danger signs" is a versatile and essential phrase in the English language, used to denote indicators of risk across various high-stakes fields. Analysis from Ludwig AI reveals a strong concentration in medical literature, particularly concerning maternal and neonatal health, where recognizing these signs is critical for survival. Beyond science, the phrase is a staple of financial and political journalism, used to describe early warnings of market crashes or social unrest. While "warning signs" can be used as a general substitute, sticking to "danger signs" often conveys a higher degree of clinical or situational urgency. Writers should ensure they are using the plural form unless referring to one specific indicator, and avoid the common mistake of using "dangerous" as the adjective unless the sign itself poses a physical threat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warning signs

Broadest synonym, applicable to almost any situation involving a potential problem

red flags

More idiomatic and common in interpersonal, business or behavioral contexts

early warnings

Focuses on the timing of the indicators rather than just the presence of danger

hazard indicators

More technical and often used in workplace safety or environmental contexts

alarm bells

Metaphorical, emphasizing the urgency or a sudden realization of risk

risk factors

Technical term used in science and finance to denote variables that increase danger

cautionary signals

Slightly more formal, suggesting the need for careful observation

adverse indicators

Formal business or economic term for negative trends

ominous signs

Adds a literary or dramatic tone, implying that something bad is likely to happen

precursor symptoms

Specifically used in medical contexts to describe early manifestations of a condition

FAQs

How do I use "danger signs" in a sentence?

You can use "danger signs" as a noun phrase to describe indicators of trouble. For example, "The doctor explained the key "danger signs" to watch for during the third trimester."

What is the difference between "danger signs" and "red flags"?

While both indicate risk, "red flags" is often used for behavioral or ethical warnings, whereas "danger signs" is more frequent in medical and physical safety contexts.

Can I use "warning signs" instead?

Yes, "warning signs" is a perfectly interchangeable synonym in most contexts and is slightly more common in general conversation.

Is "danger signs" formal enough for a research paper?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for scientific writing. Alternatively, you might use more specific terms like "clinical indicators" or "risk markers" depending on your field.