precarious

USAGE SUMMARY

'precarious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means 'uncertain and dangerous'. You can use it to describe a situation or circumstance that is unpredictable and potentially risky. Example sentence: "The climbers ventured onto the precarious mountain trail, hoping for an adventure of a lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humiliated over his wife Iris's affair and the £50,000 loan she secured for her lover; embattled due to allegations about his financial dealings with property developers and revelations over his and his wife's parliamentary expenses, Robinson's position on the surface at least appears to be precarious.

The Guardian

David Cameron's plan for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union leaves the UK's EU status more precarious that at any point for 40 years.

The Guardian

\As the highest cost major iron ore producer with $11bn of debt, Fortescue was in a more precarious position than other Pilbara producers, he said.

The Guardian - Business

But the truth is it already has, and it is hard to see how Kiev can retrieve the lost territory without the use of force on a scale that would be hard to contain – and that the precarious Kiev government may not even have.

The Guardian - Opinion

And whether they're recent arrivals or freshly-minted graduates, they're being shunted off into low-paying jobs or into precarious underpaid self-employment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ironically, the body that waxes lyrical about the precarious state of the nation's finances is not exactly flushed with cash itself.

The Guardian

Even from that precarious position, as Blair had anticipated, the new first minister made like Teddy Roosevelt, using his official residence, Bute House, as a bully pulpit to build support for the SNP and independence.

The Guardian

Its financial position is far removed from the precarious status of residents of Benefits Street, a show which, like The Island, Gogglebox and the Educating series, has assisted the fightback.

The Guardian

This sense of alienation comes from the trend of young people being increasingly pitted against each other, fighting for the same precarious jobs and terrified of taking risks while burdened with unprecedented debt.

The Guardian

There is one private and precarious enterprise offering a GCSE Latin course to maintained schools, which I organise, with the support of the university outreach department and a loyal band of teachers who still believe in the Classics.

The Guardian

"Too many [working people] have been driven from secure, full-time work," says the manifesto, "into precarious, badly paid jobs – many working on zero-hours contracts … Over five million people are in low-paid jobs, earning less than the living wage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precarious", ensure the context clearly indicates what is at risk. Specify the potential negative outcomes or dangers to provide a complete picture of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "precarious" when the situation is simply uncertain but not necessarily dangerous. Reserve it for situations where there is a genuine risk of harm or failure.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precarious" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as unstable, uncertain, or dangerous. As Ludwig highlights, it accurately conveys a sense of risk and instability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precarious" functions as an adjective denoting instability and potential danger. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for describing situations ranging from financial instability to physical hazards. It frequently appears in news and business contexts, signaling the need for caution and awareness of risk. When using this word, be sure to specify the nature of the risk involved to make the meaning clear. Alternatives such as "risky" or "unstable" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perilous state

Stresses the potential for serious harm or danger.

risky position

Highlights the presence of risk involved.

vulnerable state

Highlights susceptibility to harm or damage.

hazardous condition

Highlights the presence of hazards or dangers.

shaky ground

Suggests an unstable and unreliable foundation.

unstable situation

Focuses on the lack of stability rather than the potential for danger.

insecure status

Focuses on the lack of security and potential for loss.

uncertain footing

Implies a lack of secure base or foundation.

tenuous circumstances

Emphasizes the fragility and lack of solid foundation.

delicate balance

Emphasizes the need for careful handling to avoid disruption.

FAQs

How to use "precarious" in a sentence?

Use "precarious" to describe situations that are unstable, uncertain, and potentially dangerous. For example, "The company's financial situation is "precarious" due to declining sales."

What can I say instead of "precarious"?

You can use alternatives like "risky", "unstable", or "perilous" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "precarious situation" or "precariously situation"?

"Precarious situation" is correct. "Precarious" is an adjective, so it modifies the noun "situation". "Precariously" is an adverb and would be used to modify a verb.

What's the difference between "precarious" and "dangerous"?

"Precarious" implies instability and uncertainty, while "dangerous" directly indicates the presence of a threat. A situation can be precarious without being immediately dangerous, but it has the potential to become so.