may prove fatal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may prove fatal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a situation or action has the potential to lead to death or serious harm. Example: "Ignoring safety protocols in this environment may prove fatal for the workers involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But it's the pro-European camp that has changed most, in ways that may prove fatal to its cause.

The Guardian

He wanted to show there are two ways of seeing everything (and one of them may prove fatal).

The Guardian - Film

To stand still and do nothing, while expecting reason to prevail, is dangerous and may prove fatal.

Independent

But the new era of democracy and the open market may prove fatal to the oldest industrial enterprise in the Balkans.

The New York Times

LAS VEGAS (The Borowitz Report)—In a major slip that may prove fatal to his Presidential ambitions, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont treated his principal opponent for the Democratic nomination with dignity and respect on Tuesday night.

The New Yorker

A slow start in a 23-game campaign may prove fatal, and with fears of a failure to properly replace the England international Josh Hodgson at hooker, it could be another season of struggle for the men from east Hull.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

This tension, though--between his public discussion of counter-terrorism and policies leaning towards COIN--may prove fatal.

Huffington Post

That's OK too, being a refusenik may or may not prove fatal to their careers.

The Guardian

Note that the latter issue may or may not prove fatal to the petrol-driven car – thus potentially answering the question for good.

BBC

That may ultimately prove fatal to his government.

The Economist

Accelerating compression of both revenues and profits may rapidly prove fatal to traditional businesses.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may prove fatal" to express a potential for death or severe harm when describing situations with uncertain but dangerous outcomes. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and news reports.

Common error

Avoid using "may prove fatal" when the outcome is already certain. It's better to use stronger language like "will be fatal" or "is certain to cause death" to reflect the level of certainty involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may prove fatal" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or situation by indicating a potential outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase expresses a contingency; the situation could lead to death but isn't certain to.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may prove fatal" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey the potential for death or severe harm stemming from a particular situation or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and academic contexts. When crafting content, be aware that using "may prove fatal" implies uncertainty; if death is certain, stronger language is warranted. Alternatives such as "could be deadly" or "might be lethal" exist, though the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be deadly

Indicates a possibility of causing death, similar to "may prove fatal" but with a slightly more direct tone.

might be lethal

Suggests the potential for causing death, using a more formal vocabulary.

might result in death

States the possible outcome explicitly, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

could have grave consequences

Focuses on the seriousness of the outcome, broadening the scope beyond just death.

could lead to disaster

Shifts the focus to a catastrophic outcome, which may or may not involve death.

might end in tragedy

Emphasizes the unfortunate and sorrowful nature of the possible result.

might have catastrophic effects

Emphasizes the wide-ranging and devastating impact of the potential outcome.

could turn out to be ruinous

Highlights the potential for destruction and failure.

could be highly detrimental

Indicates a significant negative impact, though not necessarily fatal.

might bring about downfall

Suggests a potential collapse or failure, focusing on a loss of status or power.

FAQs

How can I use "may prove fatal" in a sentence?

You can use "may prove fatal" to describe a situation or action that has the potential to lead to death. For instance, "Ignoring safety protocols "may prove fatal" in this environment".

What are some alternatives to saying "may prove fatal"?

You can use alternatives like "could be deadly", "might be lethal", or "could have grave consequences" depending on the context.

Is "may prove fatal" a formal or informal expression?

"May prove fatal" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "could be deadly" might be preferred.

What is the difference between "may prove fatal" and "is fatal"?

"May prove fatal" indicates a possibility or potential for death, while "is fatal" indicates a certainty of death. The former is used when the outcome is not yet determined, whereas the latter is used when death is inevitable.