a high risk for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a high risk for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically indicates that a certain action, behavior, or situation has a high chance of resulting in negative consequences or harm. Example: Taking drugs is a high risk for developing an addiction and damaging one's health.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where this occurs there is a high risk for corruption".

The Guardian

Is this true in everyone, or only in women with a high risk for breast cancer?

The New York Times - Health

"They're a bunch of pretty normal people who are at a high risk for diabetes.

The New York Times

Leaking from the coalition partner (a rarity under Howard) is a high risk for Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One person has a high risk for developing age-related macular degeneration," says Conde.

MIT Technology Review

There is supposedly a high risk for disease if a first-degree relative is affected.

Nature

They can also carry higher fees and prepayment penalties and thus are at a high risk for foreclosure.

The New York Times

They consist of observations such as "Failing to sell enough tickets represents a high risk for the organisation".

The Guardian - Arts

Tests predicting a high risk for diabetes should help encourage susceptible individuals to exercise and control their weight.

The New York Times - Science

Many areas of Italy are considered to be at a high risk for earthquakes.

The New York Times

The condition puts a person at a high risk for bone fractures, disability, loss of independence, and even death.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a high risk for" to introduce specific factors or conditions that increase the likelihood of a negative event or outcome. Be specific about what the risk entails.

Common error

Don't use "a high risk for" without specifying what the risk pertains to. For example, instead of saying "The project has a high risk for failure", clarify: "The project has a high risk for budget overruns and delayed completion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a high risk for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating an elevated probability of experiencing a particular negative outcome or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its common and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a high risk for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an elevated probability of a negative outcome. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples across diverse sources—primarily scientific, news, and academic—shows it's a versatile phrase for highlighting potential dangers or vulnerabilities. When using this phrase, clarity is key: be specific about the risk being described. Consider alternatives such as "highly susceptible to" or "prone to" depending on the context. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication about potential risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant danger of

Emphasizes the presence of a notable danger, changing "risk" to "danger" for semantic variation.

a considerable threat of

Substitutes "risk" with "threat", highlighting the potential harm or negative impact.

highly susceptible to

Shifts the focus to susceptibility, indicating a strong likelihood of being affected.

prone to developing

Highlights a predisposition or tendency towards a particular condition or outcome.

at increased likelihood of

Rephrases the concept of risk as an increased probability of something occurring.

faces a elevated chance of

Expresses the increased possibility of encountering a specific outcome.

presents a major vulnerability to

Highlights a significant weakness or exposure to potential harm.

carries a substantial probability of

Emphasizes the notable likelihood of a particular event occurring.

there's a strong correlation with

Indicates a notable statistical relationship or association.

demonstrates a marked tendency towards

Focuses on a clear inclination or pattern of behavior.

FAQs

How do you use "a high risk for" in a sentence?

The phrase "a high risk for" is used to indicate that someone or something is more likely to experience a particular negative outcome. For example, "Smokers have "a high risk for" developing lung cancer".

What are some alternatives to "a high risk for"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "highly susceptible to", "prone to", or "increased likelihood of" as alternatives to "a high risk for".

Is it better to say "at risk" or "a high risk for"?

"At risk" is a more general term indicating vulnerability, while "a high risk for" specifies the potential negative outcome. For example, "Children in poverty are at risk" versus "Children in poverty have "a high risk for" malnutrition".

What does it mean when someone is described as having "a high risk for" something?

It means they possess characteristics, engage in behaviors, or are exposed to conditions that make them significantly more likely to experience the specified negative outcome or condition.