inherently vulnerable

USAGE SUMMARY

"inherently vulnerable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is naturally or fundamentally susceptible to harm or risk. For example, "The ecosystem is inherently vulnerable to climate change." Alternative expressions include "intrinsically at risk," "naturally exposed," and "fundamentally weak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Its members, hailing from swing districts, are inherently vulnerable.

The Economist

Tipping is inherently vulnerable to corruption that no legislation can adequately address.

The New York Times

So ideologies which oppose global capitalism are "extreme" or "radical", and assumed to be inherently vulnerable to political violence.

The Guardian

There's a reinforcement of the toxic messages young women have gotten our entire lives: that we're inherently vulnerable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Banks exist to take risks, and their role as middlemen between savers and borrowers makes them inherently vulnerable.

The Economist

This story of resilience has been ignored, partly because many assume that humans are inherently vulnerable to trauma.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Often unable to communicate well, those with Asperger's are "inherently more vulnerable" to abuse, he said.

The New York Times

After all, with their high production costs and heavy debts, these firms were inherently more vulnerable to price shocks than big oil companies, the thinking went.

The Economist

Third, corporate default rates are low by historic standards and, particularly in America, profits are holding up well.Nevertheless, corporate bonds are inherently more vulnerable than government debt.

The Economist

In addition to the weak dollar, economists say that countries like Vietnam, Egypt, China and Brazil are inherently more vulnerable to inflation when, as now, rising prices are led by increasingly expensive commodities.

The New York Times

Blaze, who, along with twenty other computer scientists, signed a report criticizing the F.B.I.'s plan, said that "if they get what they're asking for, it'll have two bad outcomes: it won't work very well, and all the services with a back door will be inherently more vulnerable to compromise".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inherently vulnerable", ensure that the context clearly explains why something is naturally susceptible. Providing specific reasons strengthens your argument and avoids vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "inherently vulnerable" as a blanket statement. Instead, provide concrete examples or evidence to support the claim that something is naturally at risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inherently vulnerable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that possesses a natural or intrinsic susceptibility to harm, risk, or damage. Ludwig examples demonstrate its versatility across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

54%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inherently vulnerable" effectively conveys that something possesses a natural or intrinsic susceptibility to harm or risk. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While broadly applicable, it's essential to provide context explaining why something is "inherently vulnerable" to ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "intrinsically susceptible" or "naturally exposed" can offer nuanced variations of meaning. Overall, "inherently vulnerable" is a powerful phrase for emphasizing a fundamental weakness or risk factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intrinsically susceptible

Focuses on the inborn nature of the susceptibility.

naturally exposed

Emphasizes the natural state of being open to harm.

fundamentally weak

Highlights the basic weakness making something vulnerable.

constitutionally at risk

Stresses the inherent risk due to its nature or structure.

unavoidably at risk

Emphasizes the inescapable nature of the risk.

intrinsically unprotected

Highlights the lack of inherent protection.

genetically predisposed to

Focuses on genetic factors contributing to vulnerability.

by its very nature at risk

Stresses that the risk is inseparable from the essence of something.

disposed to harm

Focuses on the inclination towards being harmed.

primed for danger

Emphasizes the state of being prepared or ready for danger.

FAQs

How can I use "inherently vulnerable" in a sentence?

You can use "inherently vulnerable" to describe something that is naturally or fundamentally susceptible to harm or risk. For example, "The ecosystem is "inherently vulnerable" to climate change."

What are some alternatives to "inherently vulnerable"?

You can use alternatives like "intrinsically susceptible", "naturally exposed", or "fundamentally weak" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very vulnerable" instead of "inherently vulnerable"?

While "very vulnerable" indicates a high degree of susceptibility, ""inherently vulnerable"" specifies that the vulnerability is an intrinsic characteristic. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the degree or the nature of the vulnerability.

Can "inherently vulnerable" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, ""inherently vulnerable"" can describe abstract concepts like ideologies or systems, as in "Ideologies which oppose global capitalism are assumed to be "inherently vulnerable" to political violence."