when confronted with danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when confronted with danger" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone faces a threatening or hazardous circumstance. Example: "When confronted with danger, many people instinctively react to protect themselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The sabre-toothed blenny, however, when confronted with danger holds the body stiffly without wriggling, allowing the hindquarters to sink somewhat, and advances solely by the use of the pectoral fins, in the manner common to wrasses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A sensible man would never cook a swan with such a pretty song, so the lesson of the fable is that, when confronted with danger, a song (even the memorable words of a poem) can be handy.

The New Yorker

As for Colvile's suggestion, he asked: "Do we want to have as our national symbol an animal which when confronted with danger rolls over into a ball and puts its spikes up [and] that sleeps for six months of the year?" Nothing was decided.

Independent

Furthermore, Black males have been taught to run when confronted with danger because of the history of being victimized when one encounters a person who is chasing them.

HuffPost

We ask that you grant our president the will to act courageously but cautiously when confronted with danger and to act prudently but deliberately when challenged by adversity.

Huffington Post

Fessler started with a much more universal finding from evolutionary anthropology: When confronted with danger, humans are more likely to pay attention to the experience and commit it to memory than when they're presented with cues that are neutral or pleasant.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This WHRD resolution stands as a reference point for all defenders who want to ensure their safety when confronted with risk and danger.

HuffPost

Grossman observes that most soldiers, even when confronted with mortal danger, hesitate before pulling the trigger; but this wariness, he argues, can be greatly overcome with conditioning.

The New Yorker

When confronted with the danger he was putting his life in, he said he didn't feel his life was more important than Syrians' lives.

Independent

A greengrocer by trade, the chief air-raid warden could be as pompous as his adversary, but was more coarse – and, when confronted with real danger, showed a cowardly streak by handing back authority to Mainwaring.

Independent

People who excel at this tend to be exceptionally good at refocussing their minds when confronted with pain or danger.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "when confronted with danger", consider the specific action or reaction that follows. This phrase sets the stage for describing how someone or something behaves in a perilous situation; therefore, the subsequent description should be vivid and precise.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice directly after the phrase "when confronted with danger". For example, instead of saying "when confronted with danger, help was called", try "when confronted with danger, they called for help". This makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when confronted with danger" typically functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a verb or clause by providing information about the circumstances under which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when confronted with danger" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces a conditional scenario involving peril. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in a variety of contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedic, and scientific sources. While versatile, writers should ensure that the following description is vivid and direct, avoiding passive voice for clarity. Related alternatives include "in the face of danger" or "when facing danger", offering subtle variations in emphasis. Pay attention to specific actions or reactions that may follow in the sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when facing danger

This is a simpler and more direct way of saying "when confronted with danger", focusing on the action of facing.

on encountering danger

This alternative emphasizes the moment of first encountering danger, rather than the ongoing confrontation.

in the face of danger

This alternative focuses on the act of facing danger directly, emphasizing bravery or resilience.

when in peril

This is a more concise and dramatic way of expressing a dangerous situation, using the word 'peril' to heighten the sense of risk.

when danger arises

This focuses on the appearance or emergence of danger, rather than the act of being confronted by it.

in dangerous situations

This alternative shifts the focus from the confrontation to the situation itself, emphasizing the hazardous environment.

in the presence of danger

This alternative emphasizes the proximity of danger, suggesting an immediate and tangible threat.

in moments of danger

This focuses on specific instances where danger is present, rather than a continuous state.

under threat of danger

This phrase highlights the condition of being threatened by danger, suggesting vulnerability.

when threatened

This is a simplified version, focusing on the state of being threatened without specifying the nature of the threat.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when confronted with danger" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "in the face of danger", "in perilous circumstances", or "when faced with imminent threat". These alternatives /s/when+faced+with+imminent+threat convey a sense of seriousness and urgency.

What's a simpler way to say "when confronted with danger"?

You can use phrases like "when facing danger", "when in danger", or "if threatened". These options /s/if+threatened are more direct and easier to understand.

Is "when confronted by danger" grammatically correct?

Yes, "when confronted by danger" is grammatically correct, but "when confronted with danger" is more common. Both phrases /s/when+confronted+with+danger are acceptable and convey the same meaning, but pay attention to the flow of your sentence and what sounds most natural.

How does the meaning of "when confronted with danger" change if I use "when facing danger" instead?

The meaning remains largely the same. "When confronted with danger" /s/when+confronted+with+danger suggests a direct encounter, while "when facing danger" /s/when+facing+danger emphasizes the act of dealing with it. The difference is subtle and often negligible.