make someone vulnerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make someone vulnerable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is exposed to potential harm or risk due to certain actions or circumstances. Example: "The new policy may make employees vulnerable to job loss if the company downsizes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Capacity means that someone who is under severe influence of drink or drugs … or who is asleep, may not be able to consent to sex," she wrote, adding, "Being drunk can make someone vulnerable, it doesn't mean they were 'up for it'".

The Guardian

So what does make someone vulnerable?

BBC

So what makes someone vulnerable enough to see and believe in a psychic?

The Guardian - Opinion

Smoking, or even living with a smoker, can also cause structural damage to the lungs, and could make someone more vulnerable to certain infectious diseases, he said.

The New York Times - Health

"My job as a doctor is not to make someone feel vulnerable or feel bad," she said.

The New York Times

Though no mutation which, by itself, causes autism has yet been discovered, well over 100 are known that make someone with them more vulnerable to the condition.Most of these mutations are as common in women as in men, so one explanation for the divergent incidence is that male brains are more vulnerable than female ones to equivalent levels of genetic disruption.

The Economist

This cause make someone to doubt you.

WikiHow

Want to make someone defensive?

Harvard Business Review

Maybe you want to make someone proud?

WikiHow

Want to make someone's day?

WikiHow

See further: How to Make Someone Laugh.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make someone vulnerable to", consider the specific type of vulnerability being created and ensure the context clearly explains the potential consequences. For example, "Lack of cybersecurity training can make employees vulnerable to phishing attacks" is more informative than "Lack of training can make employees vulnerable."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "make someone vulnerable to" without specifying the potential threat or risk. Vague statements like "This policy makes citizens vulnerable" lack clarity. Instead, specify what they are vulnerable to: "This policy makes citizens vulnerable to identity theft."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make someone vulnerable to" functions as a causative construction, indicating that an action or condition causes someone to be in a state of increased susceptibility to harm or negative consequences. It is typically followed by a noun phrase specifying the potential source of vulnerability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make someone vulnerable to" is a grammatically correct construction used to indicate that an action or situation increases someone's susceptibility to harm or negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While no direct examples were found in the provided search data, the analysis suggests the phrase is suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Related phrases include "expose someone to risk" and "put someone at risk of", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to effectively communicate the nature of the vulnerability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expose someone to risk

Focuses on the element of potential danger or harm, highlighting the possibility of adverse outcomes.

Put someone at risk of

Directly indicates the potential for negative consequences or danger.

Render someone susceptible to

Emphasizes a change in state, making someone more easily affected by something.

Make someone prone to

Highlights an increased likelihood of experiencing something, often negative.

Leave someone open to

Suggests a lack of protection or defense, making someone accessible or liable.

Predispose someone to

Suggests an inherent tendency or increased likelihood due to existing factors.

Subject someone to

Implies forcing someone to experience something, potentially harmful or unpleasant.

Lower someone's defenses against

Refers to weakening the barriers that protect someone from harm.

Open the door to

Creates opportunity for negative external factor. Metaphoric.

Undermine someone's resilience to

Focuses on diminishing the ability to recover from difficulties or withstand pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "make someone vulnerable to" in a sentence?

You can use "make someone vulnerable to" to describe a situation or action that increases someone's susceptibility to harm or negative consequences. For instance, "Cutting social programs can "make someone vulnerable to" poverty".

What are some alternatives to "make someone vulnerable to"?

Alternatives include "expose someone to risk", "render someone susceptible to", or "put someone at risk of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make someone vulnerable to" or "increase someone's vulnerability to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""make someone vulnerable to"" is often more concise and direct. "Increase someone's vulnerability to" might be preferred in more formal contexts where a more elaborate phrasing is appropriate.

What does it mean to "make yourself vulnerable to someone"?

To "make yourself vulnerable to someone" means to open yourself up emotionally or expose your weaknesses to another person, which can create the potential for hurt or betrayal but also for deeper connection and intimacy.