a risky venture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a risky venture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an undertaking or project that involves a significant chance of loss or failure. Example: "Investing in a startup can be a risky venture, but it also has the potential for high rewards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may seem like a risky venture.

The New York Times

Today's JoS is a risky venture, granted.

The Guardian

"Swan" has been a risky venture for Mr. Petton.

The New York Times - Arts

For Microsoft, making a tablet is a risky venture.

The New York Times

The film, by Besson's own admission, is a risky venture.

The Guardian - Music

Isn't that a lot of support for a risky venture?

The Guardian - Tech

Farming is a risky venture but by diversifying his crops Avtar said he hedges his bets.

Columbia University

THE euro's launch would be a risky venture at the best of times.

The Economist

Fueling animosity against Muslims as a tactic to court votes is a risky venture.

The New York Times

Then a risky venture, the work is now deemed a modern classic.

The New York Times - Arts

To read their works is to be reminded what a risky venture renewal is.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a risky venture" to set expectations when presenting an idea or proposal that has an uncertain outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a risky venture" when the situation involves only minor inconveniences. Reserve it for scenarios where the potential negative consequences are significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a risky venture" functions as a noun phrase, with "risky" acting as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "venture". It typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing the nature of an undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a risky venture" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an undertaking with a high degree of uncertainty and potential for negative outcomes. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and business. When employing this phrase, be sure to accurately portray the magnitude of the risk and consider alternatives such as "a hazardous undertaking" or "a precarious enterprise" to fine-tune your message. While the phrase is suitable for many situations, avoid overusing it in contexts where the risk is minimal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hazardous undertaking

Replaces "venture" with "undertaking" and "risky" with "hazardous", emphasizing the potential dangers.

a precarious enterprise

Substitutes "venture" with "enterprise" and "risky" with "precarious", highlighting the instability.

a chancy proposition

Uses "proposition" instead of "venture" and "chancy" in place of "risky", focusing on the element of chance or uncertainty.

a speculative endeavor

Replaces "venture" with "endeavor" and "risky" with "speculative", emphasizing the uncertainty of the outcome.

a daring gamble

Replaces "risky venture" with a more dramatic phrase highlighting the boldness and uncertainty of the action.

a high-stakes game

Emphasizes the potential consequences and rewards of the venture.

an uncertain investment

Focuses on the financial aspect of the venture and the risk of loss.

a questionable project

Highlights the doubts or uncertainties surrounding the success of the venture.

a long shot

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the low probability of success.

a leap of faith

Emphasizes the need for trust and willingness to take risks in the absence of certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a risky venture" to describe any undertaking with a high probability of failure or negative consequences. For example, "Starting a business during a recession is "a risky venture"".

What are some alternatives to "a risky venture"?

Alternatives include "a hazardous undertaking", "a precarious enterprise", or "a speculative endeavor". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

Not necessarily. While it highlights the potential for failure, it can also emphasize the potential for high rewards. Sometimes, "a risky venture" is seen as courageous or innovative.

What's the difference between "a risky venture" and "a calculated risk"?

"A risky venture" implies a higher level of uncertainty and potential for loss. "A calculated risk", on the other hand, suggests that the potential negative outcomes have been carefully considered and weighed against the potential benefits, so it may still be "a risky venture" but the risk is consciously taken after considering all factors.