fatal risk

USAGE SUMMARY

'fatal risk' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a risk that could result in death. For example, "The research showed that smoking increases the risk of developing cancer, a fatal risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Fatal Risk: A Cautionary Tale of AIG's Corporate Suicide.

The Economist

But we avoided the fatal risk of bankruptcy".

The New York Times

AA's immune system was "effectively deleted" last week in preparation for a transplant, leaving him at fatal risk of infection.

Independent

The managers, however, held firm to the then-common belief that foam strikes were relatively harmless and constituted a maintenance problem, not a fatal risk.

The New York Times - Science

An attorney who bores and irritates the jury during his opening statement, no matter what evidence he may later produce, has put his case at fatal risk.

The New Yorker

As bureau chief for The Times, I tell every newly arrived reporter to face squarely the fact that assignment in Iraq carries a potentially fatal risk, and to heed the words of Robert Falcon Scott, the British polar explorer who was the last of his team to die on their epic return from the South Pole in April 1912.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Opposing Isis's views carried fatal risks.

The Guardian

The program tells horror stories of workers who were exposed to fatal risks without being told.

The New York Times - Arts

The robot car revolution hit a speed bump on Tuesday as senators and tech experts sounded stern warnings about the potentially fatal risks of self-driving cars.

The Guardian - Tech

As Sarah Stillman reports in this week's issue of the magazine, deportation sometimes carries fatal risks for the people being returned, particularly those who are political-asylum seekers.

The New Yorker

As late as 2003, the F.D.A. sent Purdue a warning letter about ads that "grossly overstate the safety profile of OxyContin by not referring in the body of the advertisements to serious, potentially fatal risks".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing health or safety, use "fatal risk" to clearly communicate the potential for death, ensuring the severity of the situation is understood.

Common error

Avoid using "fatal risk" in contexts where the danger is not life-threatening; using it inappropriately can diminish its impact when describing truly critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fatal risk" functions as a noun phrase, where 'fatal' modifies 'risk'. It indicates a specific type of risk that can result in death. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fatal risk" is a grammatically correct and relatively common term used to describe a risk that could lead to death. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s appropriate for describing situations where the potential outcome is severe. Its usage is most prevalent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, reserve "fatal risk" for situations that genuinely involve a life-threatening danger to maintain its impact. Be sure to consider similar alternatives like "deadly risk" or "life-threatening danger" depending on the nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadly risk

This alternative emphasizes the potential for death as the primary characteristic of the risk.

lethal hazard

This alternative shifts from 'risk' to 'hazard,' implying a more concrete and immediate danger.

life-threatening danger

This alternative is a more descriptive phrase that explicitly states the risk threatens life.

mortal peril

This alternative uses more formal and dramatic language to convey the seriousness of the risk.

grave danger

This option suggests a serious and significant risk of harm, though not necessarily fatal.

hazardous threat

This version replaces 'risk' with 'threat,' implying a deliberate source of danger.

perilous situation

This alternative focuses on the overall circumstance being dangerous, rather than a specific risk.

critical danger

This alternative emphasizes the urgency and severity of the dangerous situation.

terminal threat

This choice specifies that the threat will lead to a deadly outcome.

extremely dangerous

A more general description of a situation or activity that poses a high level of threat.

FAQs

How can I use "fatal risk" in a sentence?

You can use "fatal risk" to describe situations where there is a significant chance of death, such as, "Ignoring safety protocols presents a "fatal risk" to the workers."

What are some alternatives to "fatal risk"?

Alternatives include "deadly risk", "lethal hazard", or "life-threatening danger", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fatal risk" in non-life-threatening scenarios?

No, "fatal risk" should be reserved for situations where there is a genuine possibility of death. Using it in less severe contexts can be misleading and diminish its impact.

What is the difference between "fatal risk" and "serious risk"?

"Fatal risk" implies a potential outcome of death, while "serious risk" suggests a high probability of significant harm or damage, but not necessarily death. The former is more severe than the latter.