a risky proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

'a risky proposition' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to something risky and uncertain, as in the following example: Investing in the stock market is a risky proposition; there's no guarantee of success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a risky proposition.

The New York Times

But it's also a risky proposition.

The New York Times

Either way, it's a risky proposition.

The New Yorker

And that's always a risky proposition".

The New Yorker

Lending in China is a risky proposition.

Columbia University

It's a risky proposition all round.

The Guardian - Sport

All in all, a risky proposition.

The New York Times

← A RISKY PROPOSITION: Has global interdependence made us vulnerable?

Princeton University

A RISKY PROPOSITION: Has global interdependence made us vulnerable?

Princeton University

Willoughby knew that his third option was a risky proposition.

Princeton University

It might be a risky proposition for Eter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a risky proposition", ensure the context clearly outlines the potential negative consequences or uncertainties involved. This adds depth and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the risk associated with "a risky proposition". Accurately assess and describe the potential downsides to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a risky proposition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It describes a situation, plan, or action that carries a significant degree of uncertainty and potential for negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper use and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a risky proposition" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that involves a significant chance of failure or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media and academia. When employing this phrase, it's essential to accurately assess and clearly communicate the potential downsides. While alternatives like "a chancy undertaking" or "a precarious venture" exist, "a risky proposition" remains a versatile and widely understood choice for expressing caution and uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a chancy undertaking

Replaces 'risky' with 'chancy' and 'proposition' with 'undertaking', altering the tone slightly but keeping the core meaning.

a precarious venture

Substitutes 'risky' with 'precarious' and 'proposition' with 'venture', emphasizing the instability and potential for failure.

a hazardous gamble

Replaces 'risky' with 'hazardous' and 'proposition' with 'gamble', highlighting the element of chance and potential danger.

an uncertain bet

Uses 'uncertain' instead of 'risky' and 'bet' for 'proposition', focusing on the lack of predictability.

a dubious scheme

Substitutes 'risky' with 'dubious' and 'proposition' with 'scheme', implying a lack of trustworthiness and a high potential for negative outcomes.

a fraught endeavor

Replaces 'risky' with 'fraught' and 'proposition' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the stress and anxiety associated with the situation.

a perilous course of action

Uses 'perilous' instead of 'risky' and expands 'proposition' to 'course of action', highlighting the potential for severe danger.

a questionable undertaking

Replaces 'risky' with 'questionable' implying doubt about the likelihood of success.

a problematic plan

Uses the adjective 'problematic' to describe how the action or plan might have negative consequences.

a dicey situation

Employs the adjective 'dicey' to suggest a high degree of uncertainty and potential for unfavorable results.

FAQs

How can I use "a risky proposition" in a sentence?

You can use "a risky proposition" to describe something that has a high chance of failure or negative consequences. For example, "Investing all your savings in a new business is "a risky proposition"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a risky proposition"?

Alternatives include "a chancy undertaking", "a precarious venture", or "a hazardous gamble". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a risky proposition"?

While generally carrying a negative connotation, describing something as "a risky proposition" can also highlight the potential for high reward alongside the danger. The context determines the overall sentiment.

What makes something "a risky proposition"?

Something becomes "a risky proposition" when the potential negative outcomes or uncertainties outweigh the potential benefits, or when the probability of failure is significant.