a very low risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very low risk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood of a negative outcome or danger in a particular situation, often in contexts like finance, health, or safety assessments. Example: "Investing in government bonds is generally considered a very low risk compared to stocks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

There is a very low risk of sexual transmission.

The Guardian

Beginning an online course is a very low risk proposition.

The Economist

"Undetectable" women have a very low risk of passing on HIV to their babies.

Independent

Potassium iodide itself presents a very low risk to health, though there may be side effects and allergies.

The New York Times - Health

Third Energy argues that there is a "very low" risk of pollution from the sandstone to the limestone.

Independent

It is concluded that the ingestion of natural color additives presents a very low risk of provoking adverse reactions.

Advances in Food and Nutrition Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Sturrock explains: "You could say, 'we're not going to follow this person up now because they live in a very low-risk area.

The Guardian

Comparatively, this is a very low-risk group; the chances of future misuse and addiction are far higher for teens who have already used other illegal drugs.

The New York Times

We felt that was a very low-risk contrarian bet.

Forbes

I told him to do it since it was a very low-risk procedure.

Huffington Post

It is likely that, in a very low-risk group of patients, radiotherapy would not be cost effective.

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When quantifying risk, provide context. Instead of just stating "a very low risk", specify what the risk is low compared to (e.g., "a very low risk compared to traditional methods").

Common error

Avoid using "a very low risk" when the risk is completely absent. Instead, use phrases like "no risk" or "risk-free" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very low risk" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing the noun "risk". It quantifies and characterizes the level of risk involved, indicating a minimal level of potential danger or negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this, illustrating its usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very low risk" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey minimal potential for danger or loss. Ludwig AI and the extensive examples provided confirm its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While "a very low risk" is suitable for both neutral and somewhat formal settings, alternatives such as "minimal risk" or "slight risk" may offer nuanced variations in meaning. When using "a very low risk", it is crucial to provide context and avoid overstating certainty when the risk is entirely absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal risk

Emphasizes the risk is at its smallest possible level.

negligible risk

Highlights the insignificance of the risk.

slight risk

Indicates a small amount of risk present.

remote possibility

Focuses on the unlikelihood of the risk occurring.

unlikely danger

Shifts the emphasis to the improbability of danger.

small chance

Highlights the minimal probability of an event.

minimal probability

Focuses on the reduced likelihood of the event occurring.

low probability

Directly states the reduced probability.

limited threat

Highlights the limited nature of the threat.

remote threat

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of the threat materializing.

FAQs

How can I use "a very low risk" in a sentence?

You can use "a very low risk" to describe situations where the probability of something negative happening is minimal. For example, "Investing in this bond carries "a very low risk" of default."

What's the difference between "a very low risk" and "minimal risk"?

"A very low risk" and "minimal risk" are similar, but "minimal risk" suggests an even smaller chance of something negative occurring. The choice depends on the specific degree of risk you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to using "a very low risk" in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "slight risk", "negligible risk", or "remote possibility" to convey a similar meaning. The most appropriate alternative will depend on the specific nuance you wish to express.

Is it always appropriate to quantify risk with "a very low risk"?

Quantifying risk is helpful, but ensure the quantification is based on evidence. Saying something has ""a very low risk"" without supporting data can be misleading and undermine your credibility.