in imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in imminent" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means something is about to happen soon or is likely to happen in the near future. Example: The storm is in imminent danger of causing widespread destruction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Authorities believe he is armed and that Thomas is "in imminent danger".

Huffington Post

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 pact itself is not in imminent danger of implosion.

The Guardian

Is the Labour party in imminent danger of splitting?

The Guardian

Iraq's Kurdish region, the only reasonably governed part, is no longer in imminent danger.

The Economist

AMBER alerts were designed for cases in which the child is in imminent danger.

The New Yorker

"We felt they were in imminent danger because of what we found in those buildings".

The New York Times

The police emphasized that the public had never been in "imminent danger".

The New York Times

Whatever the traditional publishers might hope, open-access does not look in imminent danger of perishing.

The Economist

This was done none too soon, because the area was in imminent danger from developers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in imminent" to emphasize the urgency or near-term nature of a potential event. For instance, "The company is in imminent danger of bankruptcy" conveys a more pressing situation than simply saying it might go bankrupt.

Common error

Avoid using "in imminent" when the situation isn't truly urgent or immediately threatening. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact. Choose more moderate language if the risk is only potential or long-term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in imminent" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is facing a risk or event that is about to occur. As Ludwig AI shows, it frequently precedes nouns describing danger, collapse, or extinction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in imminent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that emphasizes the near-term nature and urgency of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, encyclopedias and science. The phrase is best used to highlight potential negative events that are about to occur, such as being "in imminent danger" or "in imminent peril". To maintain impact, avoid overuse in less critical situations and consider alternatives like "about to happen" or "on the verge of" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to happen

A more straightforward way of saying something will occur very soon.

on the verge of

Focuses on the edge or threshold of an event, implying it's about to begin.

on the point of

Indicates that something is just about to occur, very similar to "on the verge of".

looming

Implies something is threateningly close and about to occur.

in the offing

Suggests something is likely to appear or happen in the near future.

forthcoming

Suggests something is about to appear or be produced.

close at hand

Implies something is near both in time and accessibility.

just around the corner

An idiomatic expression indicating nearness in time or space.

in the cards

Suggests something is a likely possibility or outcome.

in the pipeline

Indicates something is under development and will be available soon.

FAQs

How can I use "in imminent" in a sentence?

Use "in imminent" to describe a situation that is about to happen very soon, often with negative consequences. For example, "The coastal town is "in imminent danger of" flooding due to the approaching hurricane".

What are some alternatives to using "in imminent"?

You can use alternatives such as "about to happen", "on the verge of", or "looming" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in imminent danger"?

Yes, "in imminent danger" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates that someone or something is facing an immediate and serious threat.

What's the difference between "imminent" and "eminent"?

"Imminent" means something is about to happen, while "eminent" means someone is respected and distinguished in a particular field. For example, "The storm is "in imminent danger" of causing damage," versus "She is an "eminent scholar" in her field".