life-threatening situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "life-threatening situation" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a situation or circumstance that has the potential to cause harm or danger to a person's life. Example: The hiker found himself in a life-threatening situation when he got lost in the mountains during a snowstorm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I was not in a life-threatening situation".

The New York Times - Health

One warning in Wichita, Kan., on Saturday said, "This is a life-threatening situation.

The New York Times

"But we had a life-threatening situation only three days ago.

Independent

"I'm really angry to be subjected to a life-threatening situation twice," he said.

The New York Times

A huge part of it was I knew what it was like to be in a life-threatening situation.

The New York Times

If your blood-glucose levels fall far enough, your brain will perceive it as a life-threatening situation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Since, the elderly aged people require more medical checkup, as they are more in a life threatening situation of various health diseases [3].

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Who wouldn't want to try to prevent their loved one from falling into a more serious or life threatening situation?

Huffington Post

Three studies defined unplanned dialysis as starting in a life threatening situation [ 8, 10, 11].

BMC Nephrology

Others indicated that it depends on the procedure and whether it was a life threatening situation.

BMC Medical Ethics

However, symptoms of delayed hemorrhage need rapid investigation as it is a potentially life threatening situation [ 21, 26].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as a "life-threatening situation", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential for serious harm or death to avoid exaggeration or misrepresentation.

Common error

Avoid using "life-threatening situation" to describe minor inconveniences or situations that pose no real risk of death. This overuse dilutes the phrase's impact and can cause undue alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "life-threatening situation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence to describe a scenario involving immediate danger to someone's life. Ludwig AI confirms its common use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "life-threatening situation" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe scenarios where there is an immediate risk of death. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase is prevalent across various contexts, most notably in news and media, scientific reports, and general informational sources. Its purpose is to clearly communicate the severity and urgency of a given situation. While technically correct in all contexts, being mindful of potential overdramatization and choosing less formal alternatives for informal settings can improve communication. Remember to clearly define the context when using the phrase, and avoid its misuse to maintain clarity and trustworthiness. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include "The New York Times", "Huffington Post", "BBC", "Independent", and "Vice".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perilous circumstance

Replaces "life-threatening" with "perilous", focusing on danger but slightly less severe.

critical condition

More specific to medical contexts, indicating severe illness or injury.

dangerous predicament

Emphasizes the challenging and risky nature of the situation.

grave emergency

Highlights the serious and urgent nature of the event.

dire straits

Implies extreme hardship and potential danger.

hazardous state

Focuses on the risk and potential for harm in the given condition.

acute crisis

Describes a sudden and severe event requiring immediate attention.

severe jeopardy

Highlights the high risk of harm or loss.

risky undertaking

Focuses on the potential dangers associated with a specific action or endeavor.

precarious situation

Emphasizes the instability and uncertainty of the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "life-threatening situation" in a sentence?

You can use "life-threatening situation" to describe any scenario where someone's life is in danger. For example: "The paramedics arrived to find the victim in a "life-threatening situation" after the car accident."

What are some alternatives to "life-threatening situation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "perilous circumstance", "critical condition", or "grave emergency".

Is it appropriate to use "life-threatening situation" in informal contexts?

While technically correct, using "life-threatening situation" might sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using less formal alternatives like "dangerous predicament" or "risky undertaking" in informal settings.

What's the difference between "life-threatening situation" and "serious situation"?

"Life-threatening situation" implies an immediate risk of death, while "serious situation" suggests a problem that needs attention but doesn't necessarily involve a risk to someone's life.