felt at risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt at risk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of vulnerability or danger in a particular situation. Example: "During the storm, many residents felt at risk due to the severe weather warnings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Working-class respondents felt at risk in the greatest numbers.

The New York Times

The location of this bomb, and its technology, dramatically expanded the group of people who felt at risk.

The New Yorker

Hazing was an integral part of school culture, and without the firm hand of A Company's commander, underclassmen felt at risk, cadets said.

The Washington Post

When Browder first went to Rikers, his brother had advised him to get himself sent to solitary whenever he felt at risk from other inmates.

The New Yorker

A team with its back against the wall would always accept the offer to scuttle off the field, whether they felt at risk or not.

The Economist

Jonathan Adler, a popular designer, when asked if he felt at risk of becoming a cliché, or if his work was in danger of being overexposed, said, "It takes a lot more courage to extend a trend than to start one".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In the present study, the majority (79%) of patients who felt at-risk for HIV had never been tested for HIV.

Plosone

In contrast, of the participants in the two groups of 'alternative' parents, only one person felt at-risk (others felt either no risk or monitored the situation) People who felt at-risk tended to focus on the great amount of international travel that goes on today and several people made reference to other diseases that have spread rapidly around the world.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

I didn't want anyone to feel at-risk for speaking up, but rather give everyone an opportunity to showcase their talents, skills-sets and capabilities.

Forbes

I would feel at risk by going there.

The Guardian

Mr. Chan, however, says he does not feel at risk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "felt at risk" with specific details about the situation or source of the risk to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "felt at risk" when referring to purely objective, quantifiable risks. Instead, reserve it for situations where the emotional and psychological experience of risk is central.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt at risk" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of feeling or emotion. It describes the subjective experience of being in danger or vulnerable. Ludwig examples show how it is used to describe the emotional state of individuals or groups in specific situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt at risk" effectively communicates a subjective sense of vulnerability or danger. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, science and academic contexts, conveying feelings of insecurity. When using this phrase, be mindful of specifying the source of the risk and the specific circumstances that contribute to this feeling. While alternatives like "were in danger" or "were threatened" exist, "felt at risk" uniquely captures the emotional experience of perceiving a threat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in danger

States a condition of being in danger. It is direct and less about the feeling.

were threatened

Emphasizes the active sense of being threatened by an external force.

sensed vulnerability

Emphasizes the feeling of being susceptible to harm, highlighting emotional aspect.

feared jeopardy

Emphasizes the element of fear associated with potential harm or loss.

were imperiled

A more formal and less common way of saying 'were in danger'.

perceived danger

Focuses on the subjective assessment of a dangerous situation, shifting from feeling to perception.

were exposed

Highlights the lack of protection from potential harm.

experienced threat

Highlights the direct experience of a threatening situation, focusing on active reception.

were susceptible

Focuses on the inherent vulnerability to negative influences or harm.

identified peril

Shifts the focus to the recognition of danger rather than the emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "felt at risk" in a sentence?

You can use "felt at risk" to describe a subjective feeling of vulnerability, such as, "During the blackout, many residents "felt at risk" due to the lack of security".

What's a more formal way to say "felt at risk"?

More formal alternatives include "perceived danger" or "sensed vulnerability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "felt at risk" or "were at risk"?

"Felt at risk" emphasizes the subjective experience of danger, while "were at risk" describes an objective state of being in danger. Choose the phrase that best reflects the focus of your statement.

When should I not use the phrase "felt at risk"?

Avoid using "felt at risk" when discussing purely objective, statistical risks. It's more appropriate when describing personal feelings of vulnerability or threat.