a leading risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a leading risk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or primary risk in a particular context, such as business, finance, or health. Example: "In our analysis, we identified a leading risk that could impact the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Climate change, for instance, stands out as an issue few Europeans see as a leading risk.

The Guardian

Old age is also a leading risk factor for many common illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.

The Economist

Re the Personal Health column "For Mother and Child, a Lurking Danger" (Nov. 23): Obesity is a leading risk factor in the development of pre-eclampsia, a disorder that causes dangerous increases in blood pressure in pregnant women.

The New York Times

Pediatric obesity is a leading risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition commonly treated with adenotonsillectomy (T&A).

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Active cigarette smoking, which is a leading risk factor for decreased FEV1, can also independently induce systemic inflammation.

Chest

Obesity is a leading risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC), particularly Type I forms, which are increasing in the U.S.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Cooking with biomass fuel is an important source of household air pollution (HAP) in developing countries, and a leading risk factor for ill-health.

Science of The Total Environment

What we eat is a leading risk factor for disease worldwide.

Huffington Post

A 2015 study published by the NIH indicated that simply being 18-24 was a leading risk factor for problem gambling among both males and females.

Vice

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and the resulting cellular damage is a leading risk factor for developing melanoma -- and that risk factor is something we can control and reduce.

Huffington Post

After drowsiness was found during our studies to be a leading risk within the truck driving population, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration evaluated its hours-of-service regulations, such as off-duty time, on-duty time, breaks and re-start provisions, and ultimately reduced by 12 the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "a leading risk" offers a concise way to highlight a significant threat without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "a leading risk" without sufficient evidence or data to support the claim. Ensure that the risk is genuinely significant and well-documented, as unsubstantiated claims can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a leading risk" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies a significant or primary danger. Ludwig examples show it used to categorize various factors contributing to negative outcomes, aligning with Ludwig AI description of correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a leading risk" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a significant or primary danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is apt for highlighting crucial threats in contexts ranging from health to finance. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, "a leading risk" serves to emphasize the importance of a particular hazard, prompting awareness and potential mitigation efforts. Related phrases include "primary danger" and "major hazard", offering similar yet nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure the risk is well-documented and the context clearly identifies what is at stake to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary danger

Replaces "leading risk" with synonyms for "leading" and "risk", keeping the structure similar.

major hazard

Substitutes "risk" with "hazard" and "leading" with "major", offering a slightly different nuance.

top threat

Replaces "risk" with "threat" and "leading" with "top", changing the tone to be more direct.

chief peril

Uses more formal synonyms "chief" and "peril" for "leading" and "risk".

principal danger

Employs "principal" instead of "leading", maintaining a similar level of formality.

main source of danger

Expands the phrase to specify the origin of the risk, adding detail.

greatest vulnerability

Shifts the focus to susceptibility rather than the risk itself, changing the perspective.

significant exposure

Highlights the level of exposure to something potentially harmful, indirectly implying risk.

key factor in the problem

Generalizes the phrase to encompass a broader problem, diluting the specific sense of risk.

critical element of uncertainty

Introduces the concept of uncertainty, implying a potential negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a leading risk" in a sentence?

You can use "a leading risk" to highlight a primary danger or threat. For example, "Smoking is "a leading risk" factor for lung cancer".

What are some alternatives to saying "a leading risk"?

Alternatives include "primary danger", "major hazard", or "top threat", depending on the desired nuance and formality.

Which is correct, "a leading risk" or "the leading risk"?

"A leading risk" implies that it is one of several significant risks, while "the leading risk" suggests it is the most significant one. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a leading risk" and "a risk factor"?

"A leading risk" is a general term for a major danger. "A risk factor" is a specific element that increases the likelihood of a negative outcome, often in a medical or scientific context.