fall victim to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall victim to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that has been harmed as a result of something or someone else. For example: "The elephant population has been falling victim to poachers over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Or fall victim to discrimination?

The Washington Post

We fall victim to it.

The Guardian - Business

When we're too attentive, we fall victim to tunnel vision.

The New York Times - Books

This city didn't fall victim to warfare or weather.

The New Yorker

Many people in the West fall victim to this.

University of California, Berkeley

In every city, some neighborhoods fall victim to private disinvestment.

Harvard University

Of course, those islands often fall victim to coastal development.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We will not fall victims to terrorism.

Huffington Post

"She fell victim to it.

The New York Times

I fell victim to both of those".

The New York Times - Sports

Rothschild fell victim to a smear campaign.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall victim to" to describe situations where someone or something is negatively impacted by external forces or circumstances. For example, "The company fell victim to the economic downturn."

Common error

While "fall victim to" is a valid phrase, avoid using it in situations where the negative impact is minor or insignificant. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic and insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall victim to" functions as a linking verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It connects a subject to a condition or state of being harmed, influenced, or negatively affected by something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall victim to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something has suffered negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "fall prey to" or "become a casualty of" exist, "fall victim to" provides a straightforward and neutral way to communicate misfortune. However, it's important to avoid overuse and consider the tone of your writing to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall prey to

Replaces "victim" with "prey", emphasizing vulnerability and exploitation.

be harmed by

A more direct expression of experiencing damage or injury as a result of something.

become a casualty of

Implies being harmed or lost as a result of an event or situation, similar to war or accidents.

be a casualty of

Implies that someone or something was negatively affected by an event.

succumb to

Emphasizes the inability to resist or overcome something, leading to defeat or harm.

be subjected to

Focuses on the act of being forced to experience something negative.

be overcome by

Implies that a person or thing is defeated or overpowered by something.

suffer from

Highlights the experience of enduring pain, hardship, or loss.

be afflicted by

Suggests a condition of being severely affected by something negative, often a disease or disaster.

be marred by

Focuses on the damage or negative impact left behind by something.

FAQs

How can I use "fall victim to" in a sentence?

You can use "fall victim to" to describe someone or something that suffers harm or negative consequences. For example, "Many small businesses "fall victim to" economic downturns".

What are some alternatives to "fall victim to"?

Some alternatives include "fall prey to", "become a casualty of", or "be subjected to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "falls victim to" instead of "fall victim to"?

Yes, the verb form changes based on the subject. Use "falls victim to" for singular subjects (e.g., "He falls victim to scams") and "fall victim to" for plural subjects (e.g., "They fall victim to scams").

What's the difference between "fall victim to" and "fall prey to"?

While similar, "fall victim to" generally implies suffering harm, while "fall prey to" often suggests exploitation or being hunted. For instance, animals "fall prey to" predators, while companies "fall victim to" cyberattacks.