imminent danger

USAGE SUMMARY

"imminent danger" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It means danger that is expected to occur soon or is about to happen. For example, "The fire department was called due to the imminent danger of the rapidly spreading flames."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today's remote possibility becomes tomorrow's imminent danger.

Independent

Perhaps they were in imminent danger of arrest.

The New Yorker

The species was in imminent danger of disappearing.

The New York Times - Science

The officials said there was no imminent danger to riders.

The New York Times

"Sometimes it's a matter of imminent danger," she says.

The New York Times

American democracy is not in imminent danger of collapse.

The New York Times

"It's imminent danger," said Gina Hawkins, the city's police chief.

The New York Times

Is the Labour party in imminent danger of splitting?

The Guardian

But he said he had no sense of imminent danger.

The New York Times

It also poses an "imminent danger" to local newspapers.

The Guardian

The pact itself is not in imminent danger of implosion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imminent danger", ensure that the context clearly establishes the source and nature of the threat. This helps to convey the urgency and seriousness of the situation effectively.

Common error

Avoid confusing "imminent", meaning about to happen, with "eminent", meaning distinguished or respected. Using "eminent danger" would be grammatically incorrect and change the meaning entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imminent danger" functions as a noun phrase, where "imminent" modifies the noun "danger". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to describe a situation where harm or threat is expected to occur soon. It adds specificity by highlighting the closeness in time of the danger.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imminent danger" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe threats that are about to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and acceptability. While there are related phrases like "immediate threat" or "impending peril", it's crucial to avoid confusing "imminent" with "eminent". The phrase frequently appears in news reports and official warnings. Remember that correctly identifying and communicating "imminent danger" can be crucial for prompting timely action and preventing potential harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate threat

Replaces "danger" with "threat", emphasizing the source of the danger.

impending peril

Substitutes both "imminent" and "danger" with synonyms, suggesting a more formal tone and potentially a greater sense of gravity.

approaching hazard

Uses more descriptive terms, suggesting the danger is drawing closer.

forthcoming threat

Similar to "imminent danger" but emphasizes the expectation of the danger arriving.

near disaster

Highlights a potential outcome of the danger.

present risk

Shifts the focus to the current existence of the risk, rather than its timing.

proximate threat

Emphasizes the closeness of the threat in terms of physical distance or causation.

looming menace

Suggests a more ominous and threatening presence.

developing crisis

Focuses on the gradual unfolding of a dangerous situation.

brewing trouble

Implies that problems are accumulating and will soon erupt into danger.

FAQs

How is "imminent danger" used in a sentence?

You can use "imminent danger" to describe a situation where harm is about to occur, like in the sentence, "The evacuation was ordered due to the "imminent danger" posed by the approaching hurricane."

What phrases can I use instead of "imminent danger"?

Consider using alternatives like "immediate threat", "impending peril", or "approaching hazard" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "eminent danger" instead of "imminent danger"?

No, "eminent danger" is incorrect. "Eminent" means distinguished or respected, while "imminent" means about to happen. Therefore, use ""imminent danger"" to describe something that is about to occur.

What's the difference between "imminent danger" and "potential danger"?

"Imminent danger" refers to a threat that is about to happen, while "potential danger" refers to a threat that could happen in the future. "Imminent danger" implies a higher level of urgency and certainty.