thing of danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thing of danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object, situation, or concept that poses a threat or risk. Example: "The abandoned building was a thing of danger, with its crumbling walls and broken glass scattered everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Look around," Neruda told them, "there's only one thing of danger for you here – poetry".

BBC

According to the book Pablo Neruda: A Passion for Life, as Pinochet's troops searched Isla Negra, Neruda implored, "Look around — there's only one thing of danger for you here — poetry".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Maybe bravery is doing the right thing in the face of danger.

Huffington Post

But in politics appearances count, and this sort of thing spells danger for a president who is reaching out to voters of the middle ground.

The Economist

We are in uncharted territory with this referendum, and with it being such a close-run thing the danger of the grievances that have been bandied around by the yes campaign over the media's biased coverage, over financial institutions and major retailers raising concerns regarding the impact of independence – the danger of all this spilling over into something ugly should not be underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

But doesn't her beauty contain the danger concealed at the core of all extreme things, the danger of provoking irritation or resentment?

The New Yorker

It used to be accepted, she said, "that in the world, there was a lot of danger, and things happened".

The New York Times - Books

You have your boring dependables who keep the story thrusting forward (Ready Salted), and you have the strong and capable who keep the gang out of danger when things go awry (Salt & Vinegar), and you have the flash one who everyone fancies (Prawn Cocktail), and then you have chaos.

Vice

Life requires education and to work hard, so we must struggle to achieve these two things, even in the face of danger".

Unicef

The program's other lessons include "It's one thing to laugh in the face of danger, but not when you're failing to accomplish your goal," and "If the world is in grave danger, do we just ignore it because you have a headache?" No, we do not.

The New York Times - Arts

Your fear may be the only thing that is keeping you out of danger.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thing of danger", ensure the context clearly identifies what the "thing" is, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of 'the old house was a thing of danger', specify 'the crumbling staircase in the old house was a thing of danger'.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "thing of danger" can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Opt for more precise and impactful terms like "hazard", "peril", or "threat" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thing of danger" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as a source or embodiment of potential harm or risk. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thing of danger" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote something posing a risk or threat. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare in frequency, the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media sources. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "source of peril" or "potential hazard" may be more appropriate. When using "thing of danger", clarity in specifying the 'thing' is crucial. Overall, understanding the context and desired formality level will guide the effective use of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

source of peril

Replaces "thing" with "source" and "danger" with "peril", both synonyms, altering the phrase's tone slightly.

object of threat

Substitutes "thing" with "object" and "danger" with "threat", providing a more direct and less metaphorical expression.

cause for alarm

Shifts the focus to the reason for concern rather than a specific item, broadening the meaning.

matter of risk

Emphasizes the inherent risk involved, changing "danger" to "risk" and "thing" to "matter."

potential hazard

Highlights the possibility of danger rather than the presence of an immediate threat.

dangerous element

Focuses on the dangerous component within a larger context, changing the structure and word choice.

perilous entity

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the source of danger, increasing the level of formality.

risky undertaking

Refers to an activity involving potential danger, shifting the context from an object to an action.

hazardous situation

Describes a dangerous state of affairs, changing the focus from a "thing" to a broader set of circumstances.

threat to safety

Specifies the danger's impact on security and well-being, narrowing the focus.

FAQs

How can I use "thing of danger" in a sentence?

Use "thing of danger" to describe something that poses a risk or threat. For instance, "The abandoned mine shaft was a "thing of danger" to the unwary.".

What are some alternatives to "thing of danger"?

Alternatives include "source of peril", "object of threat", or "potential hazard depending" on the specific context.

Is "thing of danger" formal or informal?

"Thing of danger" is generally neutral but leans toward the informal side. In formal contexts, consider using more precise vocabulary such as "perilous entity".

What's the difference between "thing of danger" and "dangerous thing"?

"Thing of danger" emphasizes the abstract quality of being dangerous, while "dangerous thing" is a more direct description. The phrase "dangerous thing" is also typically simpler and easier to understand.