most vulnerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most vulnerable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe situations where someone or something is more likely to be hurt, damaged, or adversely affected than others. For example, "The elderly are most vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is also the staple most vulnerable to climate change.

The Economist

The report said sterling was most vulnerable to Brexit fears.

The Guardian - Business

Children's developing brains and tissues are thought to be most vulnerable to cellphone radiation.

The New York Times - Tech

America, as the country most reliant on computers, is probably most vulnerable to cyber-attack.

The Economist

The report indicates that delivery workers are among the most vulnerable to wage theft.

The New York Times

Developing countries like Bangladesh are most vulnerable to this disaster.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

Bears are most vulnerable to human disturbances during denning.

Biological Conservation

Portsmouth has been seen as the most vulnerable to closure.

BBC

Hints on the sites most vulnerable to the progress of the chemical attack are provided.

Carbon

Mountains are among the most fragile environments and are most vulnerable to catastrophic events.

Forest Ecosystems

The power sector is one of the most vulnerable to extreme weather, predominantly electricity consumption.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most vulnerable to", clearly specify the entity or group being described and the specific threat or risk they are susceptible to. This provides clarity and context for your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "most vulnerable to" without specifying the context or threat. Saying "children are most vulnerable" lacks specific meaning unless you clarify what they are vulnerable to (e.g., disease, exploitation).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most vulnerable to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is at a higher risk than others. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most vulnerable to" is a commonly used phrase indicating a heightened susceptibility to a specific threat or risk. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. The phrase is versatile, finding use in diverse contexts from scientific research to news reporting and business documents. While the phrase is suitable for different registers, avoid overgeneralization and specify the entity and the threat for clarity. Alternatives like "most susceptible to" or "most at risk of" can be used to vary your writing, although they may carry slightly different nuances. The phrase's consistent usage in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most susceptible to

Replaces "vulnerable" with "susceptible", emphasizing a lack of resistance.

most prone to

Substitutes "vulnerable" with "prone", highlighting a natural tendency or likelihood.

most at risk of

Replaces "vulnerable" with "at risk", focusing on the potential for danger or harm.

most exposed to

Changes "vulnerable" to "exposed", emphasizing a lack of protection from a threat.

most sensitive to

Uses "sensitive" instead of "vulnerable", suggesting a high degree of reactivity or impact from something.

most susceptible of

Slightly alters the prepositional usage while retaining a similar meaning of heightened receptivity.

likeliest to experience

Rephrases the entire structure to emphasize the probability of encountering something negative.

highly susceptible to

Adds "highly" to intensify the degree of susceptibility.

easily affected by

Shifts the focus to the ease with which something is impacted.

chiefly endangered by

Uses "endangered" to highlight a threat to survival or well-being.

FAQs

How do I use "most vulnerable to" in a sentence?

Use "most vulnerable to" to indicate a heightened susceptibility to a particular threat or risk. For example, "Coastal communities are "most vulnerable to" rising sea levels".

What is a synonym for "most vulnerable to"?

Synonyms include "most susceptible to", "most prone to", or "most at risk of", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "vulnerable to" and "susceptible to"?

"Vulnerable to" generally implies a weakness that can be exploited, while "susceptible to" suggests a predisposition to be affected. In many cases, they can be used interchangeably, but "vulnerable to" often carries a stronger connotation of potential harm.

Can "most vulnerable to" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""most vulnerable to"" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to express susceptibility and is widely used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.