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Prepositions with nouns

In danger or of danger?

In danger is the standard expression meaning at risk. Of danger is not normally used after danger in modern English except in larger phrases such as sense of danger.

Quick answer

Which expression is correct?

Use in danger to mean at risk or threatened. Of danger is not a normal alternative after danger itself, but danger can appear in larger noun phrases such as fear of danger or sense of danger.

Many animals are in danger because of habitat loss.
The climbers were in danger during the storm.
She had a strong sense of danger as they entered the building.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in danger

Saying someone or something is at risk

Use in danger for threats, risk, or unsafe situations.

The village was in danger after the earthquake.
Several species are in danger of extinction.
2
in danger of + noun or verb

Describing the possible harmful result

Use in danger of to say what bad result may happen.

The company is in danger of losing investors.
The patient was in danger of infection.
3
sense of danger

Using of danger inside a larger phrase

Of danger appears when another noun comes before danger.

He felt a strong sense of danger in the tunnel.
Children may lack awareness of danger near traffic.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in danger
The hikers were in danger during the storm.
standard expression meaning at risk
of danger
The phrase of danger alone is not standard after danger.
generally nonstandard as an alternative to in danger
in danger of
The project is in danger of failure.
at risk of a specific negative result

Common mistakes

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

Using of danger instead of in danger

English uses in danger for risk or threat.

✕ The building is of danger. ✓ The building is in danger.

Omitting of after in danger

Use of before the possible result.

✕ She is in danger losing her passport. ✓ She is in danger of losing her passport.

Confusing danger with dangerous

Danger is a noun, while dangerous is an adjective.

✕ The road is danger. ✓ The road is dangerous.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Several historic sites are ___ danger because of flooding.
2. The patient was in danger ___ dehydration.
3. She felt a strong sense ___ danger before the accident.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of danger correct in modern English?

Not as a replacement for in danger. It mainly appears in larger noun phrases such as fear of danger or awareness of danger.

Can I say in danger of doing something?

Yes. This is a common pattern for possible negative outcomes.

What is the difference between danger and dangerous?

Danger is a noun, while dangerous is an adjective describing something unsafe.

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? in, at, on, of or to hand? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"?

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