might be vulnerable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might be vulnerable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential weaknesses or risks in a situation, system, or individual. Example: "The new software update might be vulnerable to security breaches, so we need to conduct thorough testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Once this data is collected, one can query national databases on vulnerabilities to determine if the target system might be vulnerable to attack.

Professional Penetration Testing Creating and Operating a Formal Hacking Lab

"We thought City's defence might be vulnerable," Blanc said.

The Guardian - Sport

But these might be vulnerable to air or submarine attack.

The New York Times

For the first time, there were moments to indicate Liverpool might be vulnerable.

The Guardian - Sport

"They learned that she might be vulnerable to early, sudden death," Mrs. Bergman said.

The New York Times

Cheesy Name A GCHQ program that selects encryption keys that might be vulnerable to being cracked.

The Guardian

The F.A.A. also issued an advisory to warn pilots that the throttle system might be vulnerable.

The New York Times

A reputation for extremism may only further isolate young people who might be vulnerable to radicalisation.

The Guardian

Republicans had hoped that Representative Leonard L. Boswell, a relatively conservative Democrat, might be vulnerable.

The New York Times

I surmised that she might be vulnerable and ran my own race.

The Guardian - Sport

If the home team suspected England's goalkeeper might be vulnerable, they did not do enough to examine it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential vulnerabilities, clearly identify the specific threat or weakness. For instance, instead of saying "the system might be vulnerable", specify "the system might be vulnerable to DDoS attacks".

Common error

Avoid using "might be vulnerable" without specifying the potential cause or area of vulnerability. This can lead to confusion and a lack of actionable insights. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be vulnerable" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a potential state of weakness or susceptibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "might be vulnerable" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a potential weakness or susceptibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the potential cause or area of vulnerability to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "could be at risk" or "may be susceptible" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase's function is to highlight uncertainty, prompting further investigation or caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be at risk

Indicates a possibility of facing danger or harm, similar to being vulnerable.

may be susceptible

Emphasizes a tendency to be affected by something, akin to vulnerability.

potentially exposed

Highlights the chance of being uncovered or revealed, implying vulnerability.

conceivably threatened

Suggests a possible danger or risk, mirroring the idea of vulnerability.

possibly endangered

Indicates a situation where something could become at risk of extinction or harm, relating to vulnerability.

perhaps insecure

Focuses on a lack of safety or stability, reflecting vulnerability.

subject to attack

Highlights a state where something can be attacked or harmed.

open to exploitation

Highlights a state of being exposed to improper use or manipulation.

liable to damage

Shows a tendency to suffer harm or injury, connecting to vulnerability.

at potential disadvantage

Highlights the possibility of being in an unfavorable situation.

FAQs

How can I use "might be vulnerable" in a sentence?

You can use "might be vulnerable" to express a potential weakness or risk. For example: "The old bridge "might be vulnerable" to earthquakes" or "The software "might be vulnerable" to hacking attempts".

What are some alternatives to "might be vulnerable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be at risk", "may be susceptible", or "potentially exposed", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "might be vulnerable"?

Use "might be vulnerable" when you want to suggest a possibility of weakness or susceptibility without stating it as a certainty. It's suitable for situations where further investigation is needed.

Is there a difference between "might be vulnerable" and "is vulnerable"?

"Might be vulnerable" suggests a possibility, while "is vulnerable" states it as a fact. Using "might be vulnerable" indicates uncertainty and potential, whereas "is vulnerable" is a definite statement.