in grave danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in grave danger" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that a person/thing is in a very serious or dangerous situation. Example: The endangered species are in grave danger of becoming extinct.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She had known her life was in grave danger.

TechCrunch

He was in grave danger, I know.

The New Yorker

The economy appeared in grave danger.

Independent

"The Christians are in grave danger.

Independent

The universe is in grave danger.

The New York Times - Books

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

The New York Times

Yet we are in grave danger of overreaching.

The New York Times

"The Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger," Attenborough says.

The Guardian

"Dear friend," he writes to his French translator, Blanche Gidon, "my eyes are in grave danger.

The New York Times - Books

"They told me very clearly that I may be in grave danger".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It puts us in grave danger of returning to the McCarthy-era blacklists.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in grave danger" when you want to emphasize the severity and seriousness of a dangerous situation. It conveys a higher level of threat than alternatives like "in danger" or "at risk".

Common error

While "in grave danger" is a powerful phrase, it can sound overly dramatic in everyday conversation. Reserve it for situations where the threat is truly significant to avoid sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in grave danger" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being at serious risk. Ludwig provides many examples across different contexts, confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in grave danger" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations of significant threat. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, business and scientific writing. Its purpose is to convey a sense of urgency and emphasize the severity of the risk involved. While "in grave danger" is appropriate for formal contexts, it's important to avoid overusing it in casual conversation to maintain its impact. Related phrases, such as "in serious danger" or "at serious risk", offer alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in serious danger

Emphasizes the severity of the danger but is slightly less dramatic.

in great danger

Similar in meaning, but "great" is less intense than "grave".

at serious risk

Shifts the focus to the risk aspect, implying potential harm.

in dire straits

Indicates a difficult situation, often implying financial or material hardship.

in mortal peril

Highlights that the danger could result in death.

on the brink of disaster

Suggests that a negative outcome is imminent.

facing imminent threat

Focuses on the immediacy and directness of the danger.

under threat

A more general term indicating a possibility of harm.

walking a tightrope

Suggests a precarious situation where a single misstep could lead to failure.

on thin ice

Implies that a situation is unstable and could easily worsen.

FAQs

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

Use "in grave danger" to describe situations of serious threat or peril. For example, "The civilians are "in grave danger" due to the ongoing conflict".

What are some alternatives to "in grave danger"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in serious danger", "in great danger", or "at serious risk", which convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "in grave danger" in formal writing?

Yes, "in grave danger" is appropriate for formal writing when describing serious situations. Its formality level is suitable for news reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "in danger" and "in grave danger"?

"In danger" is a general term for any threatening situation. "In grave danger" implies a much higher level of threat, suggesting that the situation is critical and potentially life-threatening.