threatened about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threatened about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers, as "threatened" typically requires a direct object or a preposition that indicates what the threat pertains to. Example: "She felt threatened by the aggressive behavior of her coworker."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I don't need to be threatened about it at every turn".

The New York Times

About 200 residents fled a mountain neighborhood today as an 800-acre fire threatened about 130 mountain houses.

The New York Times

Now, I don't know what Cory Booker talks about, but evidently what he talks about is not something they feel threatened about.

The New York Times

A14 Fears Over Colorado Fire About 200 residents fled a mountain neighborhood near Boulder as an 800-acre fire threatened about 130 homes.

The New York Times

There were other communities along the coast hit hard, too, like Kaplan, New Iberia and Franklin, where a failing levee threatened about 200 homes.

The New York Times

A forest fire near Colorado's Wyoming line threatened about 40 cabins after exploding in size to more than 8 square miles, officials said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The fire was threatening about 5,500 residences, according to the United States Forest Service.

The New York Times

"I've always found something threatening about good weather," Mr. Benchley said.

The New York Times

An 87,000-acre wildfire burned along a milelong front today, threatening about 60 houses as the authorities nearly doubled the number of firefighters assigned to battle the blaze.

The New York Times

"The sense in the year 2010 that there's something threatening about civilian marksmanship is a function of 1990s political correctness and guilt by association," Nick Dranias, director of the Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute, said.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said: "The River Solva burst its banks at about 10.30pm, affecting or threatening about 40 to 50 properties.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing feelings of potential danger or unease, replace "threatened about" with clearer alternatives such as "worried about", "concerned about", or "fearful of" for more precise and effective communication. For example, instead of saying "I felt threatened about the new policy", consider saying "I was worried about the new policy."

Common error

Do not use "threatened about" to describe a general feeling of unease or worry. "Threatened" typically requires a direct object (e.g., "threatened by someone") or a preposition indicating what poses the threat. Using "threatened about" can sound awkward and grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for phrases like "concerned about" or "worried about."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threatened about" functions as a subjective expression indicating a feeling of unease or potential danger. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as noted by Ludwig AI, making it less suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "threatened about" appears in various contexts, including news and online articles, it is often considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI analysis points out that clearer and more precise alternatives, such as "worried about", "concerned about", or "fearful of", are generally preferred. To ensure clarity and professionalism in writing, especially in formal settings, opting for these alternatives is advisable. Although "threatened about" is relatively common, its usage is disputable, and mindful substitution enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worried about

This alternative replaces "threatened" with a more common term for anxiety, focusing on concern rather than direct menace.

concerned about

Similar to "worried about", but often implies a more formal or serious level of concern.

apprehensive about

This conveys a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

uneasy about

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, but not necessarily a direct threat.

fearful of

Directly indicates fear, highlighting the emotional response to a perceived threat.

intimidated by

Shifts the focus to the feeling of being made afraid or discouraged by someone or something.

vulnerable to

Indicates a susceptibility to harm or attack, focusing on the state of being exposed.

at risk from

Highlights the potential danger or harm posed by something.

in danger from

Similar to "at risk from", emphasizing the presence of a hazard.

feeling insecure about

Focuses on the emotional state of lacking confidence and feeling unsafe.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "threatened about" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "worried about", "concerned about", or "fearful of" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "threatened about" grammatically correct?

While some sources use "threatened about", it's generally considered grammatically awkward. Using clearer alternatives like "concerned about" or "worried about" improves clarity and grammatical correctness.

What's a more professional way to express feeling "threatened about" something?

In professional contexts, use phrases like "concerned about" or "apprehensive about" to convey a sense of worry or unease in a more formal and polished manner. Avoid "threatened about" as it's less precise.

Can "threatened about" be used to describe a situation, or only a feeling?

It's better to avoid using "threatened about" to describe a situation. Instead, describe the situation directly (e.g., "The fire threatened the town"). To describe feelings, use phrases like "at risk from" or "vulnerable to" when appropriate.