dangerous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dangerous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that poses a risk or threat to safety or well-being. Example: "The weather conditions were dangerous, leading to multiple accidents on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's very dangerous.

The New York Times

"This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances.

The Guardian

Police have said it's too dangerous to walk down the track".

The Guardian

Anelay said: "The government believes the most effective way to prevent refugees and migrants attempting this dangerous crossing is to focus our attention on countries of origin and transit, as well as taking steps to fight the people smugglers who wilfully put lives at risk by packing migrants into unseaworthy boats".

The Guardian

"I said it was increasingly dangerous for asylum seekers on the island and the humane policy should be to bring them to Darwin from Christmas Island for processing," she said.

The Guardian

It is also dangerous.

The Economist

A November report by a British thinktank noted a rise in close military encounters between Russia and the west this year, including "violations of national airspace, emergency scrambles, narrowly avoided mid-air collisions, close encounters at sea, simulated attack runs and other dangerous actions happening on a regular basis over a very wide geographical area".

The Guardian

National revulsion and popular demand for punishment are dangerous things.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not as dangerous as another adverse reaction such as the one you describe, which we call anaphylaxis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think it would be a little irresponsible of an Australian government to order Australian personnel into this very dangerous situation if we didn't have effective risk mitigation strategies in place and at the moment there is no way of doing that".

The Guardian

I don't know a lot about guns beyond that – just enough to know how much fun, and how dangerous, they are.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "dangerous", consider the specific type of risk involved. Use more precise language to convey the nature and severity of the potential harm.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the word "dangerous" without providing context or specifics. Instead of simply stating something is "dangerous", elaborate on the potential consequences and why it poses a threat. This provides a clearer and more informative message.

Linguistic Context

The word "dangerous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that poses a risk of harm or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing examples of how the adjective is used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dangerous" is a versatile adjective used to describe potential harm or risk. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While alternatives like "hazardous" or "risky" exist, "dangerous" remains a common and easily understood term. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the nature of the danger, avoiding vague statements. Overall, it’s important to consider that using "dangerous" appropriately enables effective communication about safety and potential threats.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazardous

This term emphasizes the presence of potential dangers or risks, often in a more technical or formal context.

risky

Indicates a situation involving the possibility of something bad happening, often implying a calculated gamble.

perilous

Suggests a high level of danger or risk, often with the implication of potential harm or loss.

precarious

Implies instability or uncertainty that could lead to danger or collapse.

unsafe

A general term indicating a lack of safety or security, often used in everyday contexts.

treacherous

Describes something that appears safe but is actually hazardous or unreliable.

insecure

Lacking stability or protection, making something vulnerable to danger.

critical

Highlights a situation with potentially negative or harmful outcomes, requiring careful attention.

alarming

Suggests something that causes concern or fear due to its potential for harm.

threatening

Indicates a potential source of danger or harm, often implying a deliberate intent.

FAQs

How can I use "dangerous" in a sentence?

You can use "dangerous" to describe situations, objects, or actions that pose a risk of harm. For example, "The icy roads are dangerous" or "Smoking is a dangerous habit".

What are some alternatives to the word "dangerous"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "hazardous", "risky", "perilous", or "unsafe".

Which is correct, "dangerous situation" or "danger situation"?

"Dangerous situation" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Danger situation" is less idiomatic.

What makes something "dangerous" as opposed to simply "inconvenient"?

Something "dangerous" poses a direct threat to safety, health, or well-being, potentially causing serious harm. Something "inconvenient", on the other hand, causes trouble or difficulty without necessarily posing a significant risk.