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Prepositions after adjectives

Vulnerable to, in, at, on or among?

The adjective 'vulnerable' is normally followed by 'to' when describing exposure to harm, criticism, or risk.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows 'vulnerable'?

Use 'vulnerable to' to describe being open to danger, attack, criticism, or harm. Other prepositions such as 'in', 'at', 'on', and 'among' usually belong to separate parts of the sentence rather than directly following the adjective.

Children are especially vulnerable to infection.
The system is vulnerable to cyberattacks.
She felt vulnerable in large crowds.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
vulnerable to + danger

Describing exposure to harm

Use 'vulnerable to' for risks, threats, diseases, or attacks.

Older buildings are vulnerable to earthquakes.
Small firms can be vulnerable to fraud.
2
vulnerable to + criticism or pressure

Describing emotional or social exposure

'Vulnerable to' also works with criticism, influence, and pressure.

Teenagers may be vulnerable to peer pressure.
The policy is vulnerable to criticism.
3
vulnerable in + situation

Adding a context or location

'In' usually introduces the situation where someone feels vulnerable. It is not the main complement selected by the adjective.

He feels vulnerable in unfamiliar situations.
Tourists can become vulnerable in crowded stations.
4
vulnerable among + group

Referring to a group context

'Among' may identify the group within which vulnerability exists, but the main adjective pattern remains 'vulnerable to'.

Mental health issues are common among vulnerable teenagers.
Support services are needed among vulnerable communities.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
vulnerable to
Many plants are vulnerable to frost.
Standard pattern meaning exposed to harm or risk.
vulnerable in
She felt vulnerable in a new environment.
'In' introduces the situation or setting, not the thing causing harm.
vulnerable at
He felt vulnerable at night.
'At' usually gives a time or situation, not the standard complement after the adjective.
vulnerable on
The servers were vulnerable on older networks.
'On' typically introduces a platform or context, not the core adjective pattern.
vulnerable among
The disease spread quickly among vulnerable patients.
'Among' relates to the group involved, not a fixed preposition after 'vulnerable'.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Replacing 'to' with 'in'

Use 'to' for the threat or danger itself.

✕ The network is vulnerable in hacking. ✓ The network is vulnerable to hacking.

Using 'at' for the source of harm

'At' normally gives a place, time, or situation.

✕ Children are vulnerable at disease. ✓ Children are vulnerable to disease.

Confusing context with complement

You can use another prepositional phrase after the main pattern.

✕ She is vulnerable in criticism. ✓ She is vulnerable to criticism.

Using 'among' directly after the adjective

'Among' usually refers to a group context, not the threat itself.

✕ The elderly are vulnerable among heatwaves. ✓ The elderly are vulnerable to heatwaves.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many coastal towns are vulnerable ___ flooding.
2. She felt vulnerable ___ large meetings.
3. The software is vulnerable ___ cyberattacks.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'vulnerable to' always followed by a noun?

Usually yes, but it can also be followed by a gerund, such as 'vulnerable to being ignored'.

Can I say 'vulnerable in'?

Yes, when 'in' introduces a situation or environment rather than the source of danger.

Is 'vulnerable among' correct?

It can appear when talking about groups, but it is not the normal fixed pattern after the adjective. The standard complement is still 'vulnerable to'.

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