boost the risk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "boost the risk of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors that increase the likelihood of a negative outcome or event occurring. Example: "The new policy may boost the risk of data breaches if not properly implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

With the exception of aspirin, all NSAIDs may boost the risk of having a heart attack.

Harvard University

Eating processed meat, like bacon and hot dogs, did boost the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

Harvard University

Why it matters: Scientists have long sought genetic mutations that boost the risk of type 2 diabetes.

MIT Technology Review

It's possible that changes in many microbial populations must occur together to boost the risk of contracting a particular disease.

MIT Technology Review

Last month, a doctor from the University of Tokyo claimed that regular, hour-long, daytime naps can boost the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 45%.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the other hand, refined carbohydrate sources in the diet could hasten menopause, suggested the study authors, because these foods boost the risk of insulin resistance, which could interfere with hormone production.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

That causes blood pressure to rise, which also boosts the risk of a stroke.

Harvard University

Vitamin E pills also boosted the risk of aggressive cancer, more than doubling it for men lacking selenium.

The Guardian

When added to a statin drug, ezetimibe can produce additional LDL reductions of about 25% without boosting the risk of statin side effects.

Harvard University

Most health-conscious men already know that sodium raises blood pressure and that high blood pressure, in turn, boosts the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Harvard University

Red meat and processed meats appear to be the worst offenders as far as boosting the risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using this phrase. In formal settings, more precise and technical language may be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "boost the risk of" when the evidence only suggests a correlation. Clearly differentiate between correlation and causation to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "boost the risk of" functions as a verb phrase that indicates an action which increases the likelihood of a negative outcome. As shown in Ludwig, it's commonly used to describe factors that contribute to undesirable events or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boost the risk of" is a common phrase used to describe factors that increase the likelihood of a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While it is important to avoid overstating causation, the phrase is valuable for warning and informing about potential dangers. Alternatives such as "increase the chance of" and "heighten the possibility of" may be used depending on the desired level of formality and nuance. The phrase’s frequent use in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the chance of

Replaces "risk" with "chance", focusing on probability.

elevate the probability of

More formal; uses "elevate" and "probability" for a stronger emphasis.

heighten the possibility of

Similar to 'elevate' but uses 'possibility', suggesting a potential rather than a certainty.

aggravate the danger of

Emphasizes the worsening of an existing danger.

exacerbate the likelihood of

Suggests making something already likely even more so, often in a negative context.

amplify the odds of

Uses "amplify" to suggest a significant increase in probability.

escalate the threat of

Focuses on the increase of a threatening situation.

contribute to the risk of

Indicates a contributing factor rather than a direct cause.

fuel the potential for

Suggests providing impetus to a potential negative outcome.

encourage the development of

Implies fostering the growth of something undesirable.

FAQs

How can I use "boost the risk of" in a sentence?

You can use "boost the risk of" to describe factors that increase the likelihood of a negative outcome. For example, "Smoking can boost the risk of heart disease."

What are some alternatives to "boost the risk of"?

Alternatives include "increase the chance of", "elevate the probability of", or "heighten the possibility of", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "increase the risk of" or "boost the risk of"?

Both "increase the risk of" and "boost the risk of" are acceptable. "Boost" implies a more active and significant increase compared to the more neutral "increase".

What's the difference between "contribute to the risk of" and "boost the risk of"?

"Contribute to the risk of" implies that something is one of several factors involved, while "boost the risk of" suggests a more direct and significant impact. The former is less direct than the latter.