grave danger

USAGE SUMMARY

"grave danger" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a dangerous or life-threatening situation. For example: "The hikers were warned of the grave danger they would face if they attempted to traverse the mountain in the winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another grave danger is Jordan.

The New Yorker

He was in grave danger, I know.

The New Yorker

The economy appeared in grave danger.

Independent

"The Christians are in grave danger.

Independent

Exceptionalism is a grave danger to that.

The New Yorker

The universe is in grave danger.

The New York Times - Books

"We're in grave danger," he said.

The New York Times

"Despite grave danger in the conflict zone, the L.T.T.E.

The New York Times

would apparently expose US citizens to exceptionally grave danger".

Independent

Settlements are a grave danger to Israel's security and democracy.

The New York Times

And we are in very grave danger of that happening.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave danger" to convey a sense of serious and immediate threat, ensuring the context clearly establishes what is at risk and why the danger is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "grave danger" in contexts where the threat is minor or easily mitigated. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave danger" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a state of significant and immediate threat or peril. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave danger" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation of serious and imminent threat. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, formal business and scientific contexts. While "grave danger" effectively communicates severity, it's crucial to avoid overusing it in less critical situations. Alternatives like "serious threat", "imminent peril", and "critical risk" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the context. By being mindful of the appropriate register and avoiding overuse, writers can effectively leverage the phrase to emphasize genuine and significant threats.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious threat

Replaces "danger" with "threat", emphasizing the potential for harm.

imminent peril

Emphasizes the nearness and certainty of the danger.

critical risk

Highlights the severity and probability of a negative outcome.

dire straits

Indicates a situation of extreme difficulty and danger.

perilous situation

Replaces "danger" with "situation", framing it as a specific set of circumstances.

severe hazard

Substitutes "danger" with "hazard", focusing on potential sources of harm.

acute threat

Similar to "serious threat", but with a sense of urgency.

substantial risk

Highlights the magnitude of the risk involved.

major jeopardy

Uses "jeopardy" to emphasize the potential for loss or harm.

extreme hazard

Emphasizes the intensity of the hazard.

FAQs

How can I use "grave danger" in a sentence?

You can use "grave danger" to describe situations where there's a high risk of severe harm or loss. For example, "The refugees were in "grave danger" due to the ongoing conflict".

What are some alternatives to "grave danger"?

Alternatives include "serious threat", "imminent peril", or "critical risk", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "grave danger"?

While grammatically correct, using "grave danger" might be an overstatement in less serious contexts. Choose vocabulary that accurately reflects the severity of the situation.

What's the difference between "grave danger" and "serious threat"?

"Grave danger" emphasizes immediate risk to life or well-being, while "serious threat" can refer to potential long-term harm or less immediate concerns.