vulnerable circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vulnerable circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where individuals or groups are at risk or in a precarious position, often requiring support or protection. Example: "During the natural disaster, many families found themselves in vulnerable circumstances, needing immediate assistance and shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Guardian

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - Business

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Forbes

BBC

Huffington Post

BMJ Open

Unicef

The New York Times - Magazine

The New York Times - Sports

British Medical Journal

SEP

Plosone

BMC Psychiatry

Conflict and Health

The Guardian - Money

The New York Times

Expert Systems with Applications

Vice

Journal of Affective Disorders

Global Environmental Change

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Nowhere else have people lived for so many thousands of years in such visibly vulnerable circumstances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A government spokesperson said: "Good social workers can transform the lives of families and individuals in vulnerable circumstances.

The Guardian

Given the government's imperative to reduce costs, we welcome the statement that 'Support for people in the most vulnerable circumstances would remain unconditional'.

The Guardian - Opinion

The forgotten documents were found to contain "highly sensitive" information about adults and children in vulnerable circumstances, according to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

The Guardian

Tracey McDermott, the FCA's director of enforcement and financial crime, said: "By allowing cases to drift without agreement, [Yorkshire's] actions meant that customers in vulnerable circumstances risked falling into further financial difficulty.

The Guardian - Business

Infant Service Improvement Program PMII): For children in socially vulnerable circumstances.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But H.I.V. is a special case, in part because of the disproportionate hold it has on many people's fears, and in part because of the uniquely vulnerable circumstance during which it can be transmitted.

The New York Times - Magazine

You can blame them and dismiss them as complicit and culpable – or you can blame the men who seek out women made vulnerable by circumstances, then break their spirits, stamp on their faces, fracture their ribs and puncture their lungs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Whether in the most impoverished and vulnerable of circumstances or in affluent, educated communities we are bombarded every day with examples of embedded values working against girls.

Huffington Post

The first two groups are composed of people who are unlikely to have chosen membership and who are vulnerable to present circumstances.

The Economist

The Spanish economy minister, Luis de Guindos, told the meeting that insured deposits — those of €100,000, or less — could become vulnerable under some circumstances if uninsured depositors with higher balances were force to take losses along with bank bondholders during crises.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vulnerable circumstances" to highlight the need for protection, support, or intervention. It effectively conveys the precarious nature of the situation and its potential impact on individuals or groups.

Common error

Avoid using "vulnerable circumstances" as a vague descriptor. Always provide context and details to explain the specific vulnerabilities involved, ensuring clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vulnerable circumstances" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vulnerable" modifies the noun "circumstances". It describes situations or conditions that make individuals or groups susceptible to harm, difficulty, or exploitation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vulnerable circumstances" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations where individuals or groups are at risk or in a precarious position. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English. Analysis of examples from sources like The Guardian, Huffington Post, and The New York Times shows that it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal/business contexts. When writing, be specific about the nature of the vulnerability to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precarious situation

Replaces "circumstances" with "situation", implying a potentially unstable or dangerous state.

difficult situation

Uses more generic language to describe challenging conditions.

risky situation

Highlights the presence of potential harm or danger.

unstable conditions

Focuses on the lack of stability and predictability in the environment.

at-risk position

Emphasizes the exposed and threatened state of an individual or group.

adverse circumstances

Focuses on unfavorable or negative conditions.

challenging environment

Emphasizes the difficulties presented by the surroundings or context.

exposed predicament

Highlights the lack of protection and potential danger in the current situation.

sensitive situation

Implies the need for careful handling due to potential negative consequences.

fragile state

Describes a condition of weakness and susceptibility to damage.

FAQs

How can I use "vulnerable circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "vulnerable circumstances" to describe situations where individuals or groups are at risk or in a precarious position. For example: "The organization provides support to families living in "difficult circumstances" and needing immediate assistance."

What are some alternatives to "vulnerable circumstances"?

Some alternatives include "precarious situation", "difficult situation", or "risky situation", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

What makes "vulnerable circumstances" different from "difficult circumstances"?

"Vulnerable circumstances" specifically highlights the susceptibility to harm or exploitation, whereas "difficult circumstances" simply implies a challenging or problematic situation.

Is it better to say "people in vulnerable circumstances" or "vulnerable people"?

Both are acceptable, but "people in vulnerable circumstances" emphasizes the external factors contributing to their vulnerability, while "vulnerable people" focuses on their inherent characteristics or conditions.