cannot risk losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot risk losing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the idea that you cannot afford to lose something important, whether it be a situation, opportunity, or relationship. Example: "In this competitive market, we cannot risk losing our top clients to our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I cannot risk losing it.

The Guardian - Books

We cannot risk losing this hard-won network of life-changing and life-saving services.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We cannot risk losing their support as they are absolutely essential to our work in Katine".

The Guardian

Perhaps they simply cannot risk losing the support of the undecided voters who will determine the winner of the election.

The Guardian

They tell me they will spend time and money to train me and cannot risk losing me when there are so many other candidates available.

The Guardian

With the tight job market, many employers are simply swallowing the cost of higher insurance premiums because they cannot risk losing workers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The buyers already have political unrest, wildcat strikes and blockades to deal with; they cannot afford to risk losing further days of production.

The Guardian

With all eyes on productivity, a business cannot afford to risk losing team members due to inept or untrained managers.

Forbes

Importantly, excessively long commute times or unreliable forms of public transportation can create an additional set of problems for workers -- especially those who cannot telework or who risk losing their job if they are even a few minutes late for their shift.

Huffington Post

Egypt has considered its options and decided it cannot afford to go nuclear and risk losing its annual US grant.

The Guardian

"We cannot wait; if we wait, we risk losing our launch slot and that could end up costing us more money," he told BBC News.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot risk losing" to emphasize the potential negative consequences of a loss, particularly when the stakes are high.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot risk losing" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can't afford to lose" or "must keep" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot risk losing" functions as a modal expression indicating a strong need to avoid a specific negative outcome. It combines the impossibility of taking a risk with the potential loss of something valuable, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot risk losing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that conveys the critical need to avoid a potential loss. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and suggests that it expresses the idea of not being able to afford the loss of something important. With its prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase is suitable for professional and neutral settings. Alternative phrases like ""cannot afford to lose"" and "must not lose" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to express. When using "cannot risk losing", be sure to consider the context and adjust your language accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot afford to lose

Emphasizes the inability to bear the consequences of a loss, highlighting the potential negative impact.

must not lose

Expresses a strong obligation or necessity to avoid losing something.

cannot permit losing

Highlights the unacceptability of allowing a loss to occur, often in a formal context.

must retain

Focuses on the need to keep or maintain something, implying the avoidance of loss.

have to maintain

Indicates a requirement to preserve something, preventing its loss.

need to safeguard

Emphasizes the importance of protecting something from being lost or harmed.

must preserve

Highlights the necessity of keeping something intact, avoiding its deterioration or loss.

should avoid losing

Suggests a recommendation to prevent a loss, implying potential negative consequences.

aim to retain

Expresses an intention to keep something, suggesting a proactive effort to prevent loss.

seek to preserve

Highlights the active pursuit of maintaining something, avoiding its loss or decline.

FAQs

What does "cannot risk losing" mean?

It means that the potential negative consequences of losing something are too significant to accept, making it essential to avoid the loss.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot risk losing"?

Use it when emphasizing the high stakes associated with a potential loss, particularly in formal or professional contexts. For example, "We "cannot afford to lose" this contract."

What are some alternatives to "cannot risk losing"?

You can use phrases like ""cannot afford to lose"", "must not lose", or "need to safeguard" depending on the context.

Is "cannot risk to lose" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "cannot risk losing". The gerund form 'losing' is required after 'risk' in this context.