threatened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threatened by" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is most commonly used to indicate a sense of danger or apprehension. For example, "The small village was threatened by a large forest fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They felt threatened by us.

The Economist

Moi felt most threatened by Njonjo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They felt threatened by his taking over.

The New York Times

The city was threatened by civil war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

People were very threatened by it.

The New York Times

It is potentially threatened by climate change.

Independent

She is only threatened by emotional consequences.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They feel threatened by the business community".

The New York Times

People feel threatened by that".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He feels threatened by mess.

The Guardian - Music

She said he felt threatened by her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "threatened by", ensure the subject is clearly defined, specifying what is at risk and the source of the threat. For example, "The ecosystem is threatened by pollution" is more precise than "The ecosystem is threatened."

Common error

Avoid using plural subjects with singular verb forms when describing what is "threatened by". For example, instead of "The environment are threatened by", use "The environment is threatened by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threatened by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of a threat or danger. It connects a subject to the source of potential harm, as shown in Ludwig's examples where various entities are endangered by specific factors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "threatened by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express vulnerability and risk. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, noting its prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While grammatically straightforward, nuances in usage lie in clearly identifying both the subject at risk and the source of the threat. Related phrases like "at risk from" or "endangered by" offer context-specific alternatives, and being mindful of subject-verb agreement ensures clarity. Therefore, using "threatened by" effectively involves precision and context awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at risk from

Focuses on the potential for harm or danger.

endangered by

Specifically implies a risk of extinction or disappearance.

imperiled by

Highlights a state of serious danger or jeopardy.

vulnerable to

Emphasizes susceptibility to negative effects.

jeopardized by

Suggests that something is being put at risk or in danger.

at the mercy of

Indicates a lack of control and dependence on something else.

affected by

Implies being influenced or impacted, often negatively.

undermined by

Focuses on weakening or diminishing something's effectiveness.

destabilized by

Highlights the disruption and loss of stability caused by something.

compromised by

Indicates that something has been weakened or damaged.

FAQs

How can I use "threatened by" in a sentence?

Use "threatened by" to indicate that something is at risk or in danger from a specific source. For example, "The species is threatened by habitat loss."

What are some alternatives to saying "threatened by"?

You can use alternatives like "at risk from", "endangered by", or "vulnerable to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "threatening to" instead of "threatened by"?

While "threatening to" implies a potential or imminent action, "threatened by" indicates an existing state of being at risk. The correct choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the state.

What does it mean when something is described as "threatened by" something else?

It means that the first thing is in danger or at risk of being harmed or negatively affected by the second thing. For example, "A business could be "affected by" competition".