facing imminent extinction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing imminent extinction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a species, organization, or concept that is on the verge of disappearing or becoming obsolete. Example: "The once-thriving species is now facing imminent extinction due to habitat loss and climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Frog species around the world are facing imminent extinction, victims of a modern plague.

The Washington Post

The planet is facing imminent extinction and only one man has the knowledge, media savvy and political influence to do something.

The Guardian - Film

We were puzzled by Toni Bentley's claim, in reviewing Jennifer Homans's "Apollo's Angels," that ballet is facing "imminent extinction" — an opinion that seems to be based on the sometimes lackluster Balanchine performances by New York City Ballet ("Taking Flight," Nov. 28).

The New York Times - Books

The serious side of the initiative is that orangutans, which live in only small parts of Indonesia and Malaysia, are facing imminent extinction.

BBC

These developments will make GCT very useful for the timely rescue of fish species facing imminent extinction.

Plosone

Live-gene banking programs of Atlantic salmon in Norway and eastern North America (see Box 1; Table 1) are good examples of 'current' captive breeding programs that accommodate many of these new procedures to protect populations that are at the extreme of the continuum outlined in Fig. 1; that is, populations that are extirpated or facing imminent extinction.

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Not that they face imminent extinction — it's a fate much worse than that.

The New York Times - Health

"Couleurs de L'Ombre" (Colors of Shadow), as the collection is called, is a moving tribute to the lowly Polaroid, which faces imminent extinction.

The New York Times

Couleurs de L'Ombre or Colors of Shadow, as the collection is called, is a moving tribute to the Polaroid, which faces imminent extinction.

The New York Times

The world's smallest porpoise faces imminent extinction unless the Mexican government eliminates gill-net fishing in its only habitat, the upper Sea of Cortez, scientists have warned.

The Guardian

The draft communique for the summit, seen by the Observer, notes that in the past decade tiger numbers worldwide have fallen by 40% and warns that "Asia's most iconic animal faces imminent extinction in the wild".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "facing imminent extinction", ensure that the subject truly faces a near and certain risk of disappearing. Overuse can diminish the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "facing imminent extinction" when describing minor setbacks or temporary difficulties. This phrase should be reserved for scenarios where the threat of complete disappearance is real and immediate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing imminent extinction" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun (e.g., species, tradition) by indicating that it is in immediate danger of disappearing entirely. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing imminent extinction" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something at a critical risk of disappearing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is particularly frequent in News & Media and Science contexts, signaling the urgent need for action. While alternatives like "on the verge of extinction" or "threatened with extinction" exist, "facing imminent extinction" powerfully conveys a sense of urgency. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a near and certain risk of permanent disappearance to maintain its impact and avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of extinction

Changes the verb and adjective while retaining the core meaning of being close to extinction.

on the brink of extinction

Similar to "on the verge", this phrase emphasizes the precariousness of the situation.

nearing extinction

Focuses on the process of approaching extinction, rather than the immediate state.

threatened with extinction

Highlights the external factors causing the risk of extinction.

at risk of disappearing

Uses a more general term ("disappearing") to convey the loss.

critically endangered

A more technical term often used in conservation contexts, specifically indicating a high risk of extinction.

facing potential extinction

Replaces "imminent" with "potential", indicating that extinction is possible but not necessarily certain.

close to disappearing forever

Emphasizes the finality of extinction.

in danger of vanishing

Uses "vanishing" as a softer alternative to "extinction".

experiencing a decline toward extinction

Focuses on the downward trend that leads to extinction.

FAQs

How can I use "facing imminent extinction" in a sentence?

Use "facing imminent extinction" to describe a species, concept, or entity at severe risk of disappearing. For example: "The frog species is now facing imminent extinction due to a modern plague".

What's a less dramatic alternative to "facing imminent extinction"?

If the situation isn't dire, consider alternatives such as "threatened with extinction" or "at risk". These phrases convey danger without the same level of urgency.

What does "imminent" really mean in "facing imminent extinction"?

"Imminent" means that something is about to happen or is very near in time. So, "facing imminent extinction" means the entity is close to disappearing permanently.

Is it correct to say something is "facing imminent danger" instead of "facing imminent extinction"?

Yes, but the terms convey different meanings. "Facing imminent danger" implies an immediate threat of harm or destruction, whereas "facing imminent extinction" specifically suggests a near-certain disappearance or end of something.