risk of death

USAGE SUMMARY

"risk of death" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which somebody may not survive. For example, "The risk of death from malnourishment is especially high in developing countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Risk of death.

The New Yorker

Higher risk of death".

The New York Times

Drug treatment halves the risk of death.

The Guardian - Opinion

Being alive carries the risk of death.

The Guardian - Opinion

Risk of death from AIDS: way down.

The New York Times - Health

The resulting risk of death is quantifiable.

The Washington Post

Blacks had a 47 % greater risk of death than whites.

Stanford University

That boosts their risk of death, the study said.

Stanford University

There was a 27% reduction in the risk of death.

Harvard University

Yes, nuclear missiles do carry a risk of death.

The New Yorker

Risk of death from other things: going up.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "risk of death" when discussing potential outcomes in medical, scientific, or safety contexts. It's a clear and direct way to communicate potential dangers.

Common error

Avoid using "risk of death" in contexts where it is hyperbolic or sensationalized. Reserve it for situations where there is a genuine and significant possibility of mortality, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "risk of death" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms this is a standard and grammatically correct expression. It quantifies or describes situations involving a potential for mortality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "risk of death" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the possibility of dying. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate across various contexts, from formal academic papers to news reports. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately and avoid sensationalism. Alternative phrases like "mortality risk" or "fatality risk" may be more appropriate in certain formal settings. Understanding the context is key to conveying the intended meaning effectively. The phrase appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mortality risk

Focuses more directly on the statistical probability of dying.

fatality risk

Emphasizes the potential for a fatal outcome.

danger of dying

Highlights the perilous nature of a situation.

chance of death

Suggests a possibility, though not necessarily a high one, of dying.

likelihood of death

Indicates a degree of probability that death will occur.

threat to life

Points to something that endangers existence.

peril of mortality

Highlights the abstract danger associated with mortality.

life-threatening hazard

Focuses on the hazardous nature of a situation that can cause death.

lethal danger

Highlights the potential for something to cause death.

mortal danger

Emphasizes the imminent and grave threat to life.

FAQs

How can I use "risk of death" in a sentence?

You can use "risk of death" to describe situations where there is a possibility of dying, such as: "The "risk of death" is significantly higher for patients who delay treatment."

What's a more formal way to say "risk of death"?

A more formal alternative would be "mortality risk" or "fatality risk", which are often used in scientific and medical contexts. For example: "The study examined the mortality risk associated with the procedure".

Which is correct: "risk of death" or "risk to death"?

"Risk of death" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Risk to death" is not standard English.

What factors might increase the "risk of death"?

Various factors can increase the "risk of death", including pre-existing health conditions, age, lifestyle choices, and exposure to hazardous environments. These factors should be considered when assessing overall health and safety.