vulnerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vulnerable to" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe someone or something that may be exposed to danger or harm. For example, "The elderly are particularly vulnerable to changes in weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are vulnerable to exploitation".

The New York Times

"That made him vulnerable to some people.

The New York Times - Arts

Manila is particularly vulnerable to flooding.

The New York Times

However, they are vulnerable to surprise attacks.

The Economist

India is also vulnerable to investors' skittishness.

The New York Times

The company looks vulnerable to takeover.

The Economist

Smaller firms are vulnerable to shocks.

The Economist

But predictions are vulnerable to sabotage.

The Economist

You're vulnerable to events.

The Guardian - Business

Brazil is vulnerable to China's slowdown.

The Economist

But they are vulnerable to runs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vulnerable to", clearly specify the potential threat or harm. For example, instead of saying "The system is vulnerable", specify "The system is vulnerable to cyberattacks".

Common error

Avoid using "vulnerable to" without a specific context. Saying something is "vulnerable" without specifying what it is vulnerable to can make your writing vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vulnerable to" functions as a predicate adjective followed by a preposition. It describes a state of being susceptible or easily harmed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples, indicating its role in attributing a quality of susceptibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vulnerable to" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe susceptibility to harm or negative influence. Ludwig AI analysis shows it appears frequently in news, business, and general information contexts. Key related phrases include "susceptible to", "prone to", and "at risk of". When using "vulnerable to", remember to clearly specify the potential threat to avoid vagueness. Ludwig confirms its versatile use across different topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to

Implies a tendency to be affected by something, often negative.

prone to

Suggests a high likelihood of experiencing something, typically undesirable.

at risk of

Highlights the potential danger or harm that may occur.

exposed to

Indicates a lack of protection from something harmful.

open to

Signifies a lack of defense against potential influences or attacks.

liable to

Implies a legal or probable responsibility for something.

subject to

Suggests being under the control or influence of something.

defenseless against

Emphasizes the lack of ability to resist or protect oneself.

unprotected from

Highlights the absence of any shielding or safeguard.

susceptive to

Suggests that someone is receptive to an external influence, even a bad one.

FAQs

How to use "vulnerable to" in a sentence?

Use "vulnerable to" to describe something or someone that is susceptible to harm or negative influence. For example, "Children are particularly "vulnerable to disease"".

What can I say instead of "vulnerable to"?

You can use alternatives like "susceptible to", "prone to", or "at risk of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "vulnerable to" or "vulnerable of"?

"Vulnerable to" is the correct phrase. "Vulnerable of" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used.

What's the difference between "vulnerable to" and "exposed to"?

"Vulnerable to" implies a weakness that makes something susceptible to harm, while "exposed to" simply means something is open to being affected, without necessarily implying weakness.