confer risk for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confer risk for" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe when something carries with it an increased risk or potential of harm. For example: "Careless driving can confer risk for serious injury or death."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Disturbed sleep may confer risk for suicidal behaviors.

Journal of Affective Disorders

Perfectionistic self-presentation is thought to confer risk for social anxiety.

Personality and Individual Differences

Despite the complex study design, these analyses identify numerous loci known to confer risk for T1D.

The American Journal of Human Genetics

African-Americans with Alzheimer's disease were slightly more likely to have one gene, ABCA7, that is thought to confer risk for the disease.

Columbia University

Identifying biological mechanisms through which genes lead to individual differences in emotional behavior is paramount to our understanding of how such differences confer risk for neuropsychiatric illness.

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

Specific haplotypes in these genes have been shown to confer risk for ischaemic stroke in the Icelandic population, but their role in other populations is unclear.

The Lancet Neurology

None of the variants tested for the CD14, TNFα, IL-6, and PSMA6 genes found to confer risk for stroke in the study population.

Brain Research Bulletin

One research team, led by Juliane Winkelmann and Thomas Meitinger at the Institute of Human Genetics in Munich, reports in Nature Genetics today that it has found variants in three genes that confer risk for restless syndrome.

The New York Times - Health

By studying 16,000 patients in Iceland and Sweden, the researchers have identified two variant sites on the genome that confer risk for a common type of the disease, known as exfoliative glaucoma.

The New York Times - Science

But they found that African-Americans with Alzheimer's disease were slightly more likely to have one gene, ABCA7, that is thought to confer risk for the disease.

The New York Times - Health

Landi MT, Bauer J, Pfeiffer RM, Elder DE, Hulley B, Minghetti P, Calista D, Kanetsky PA, Pinkel D, Bastian BC (2006) MC1R germline variants confer risk for BRAF -mutant melanoma.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confer risk for", ensure you clearly identify what factor is conferring the risk and what the potential negative outcome is. For example, "Smoking confers risk for lung cancer" is clear and direct.

Common error

Avoid using "confer risk for" when the connection between the factor and the outcome is weak or speculative. Overstating the risk can lead to misinterpretations and unnecessary anxiety. Ensure there's sufficient evidence to support the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer risk for" functions as a verb phrase that signifies the act of something contributing to or causing an increased chance of a negative outcome. It is used to establish a connection between a factor and the potential for harm. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

Academia

27%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confer risk for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something increases the likelihood of a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. The analysis of usage patterns indicates that it appears most commonly in scientific and academic sources. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: explicitly state what confers the risk and the potential negative outcome. Be cautious about overstating the risk without sufficient evidence. Consider alternatives like ""increase the risk of"" or "contribute to" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the risk of

Focuses on the act of elevating the probability of something negative occurring.

raise the likelihood of

Emphasizes making something more probable.

contribute to the risk of

Highlights the contributing factor to an existing or potential risk.

predispose to

Indicates a tendency or inclination towards a particular condition or outcome.

make someone vulnerable to

Focuses on reducing someone's defenses against a specific threat.

heighten susceptibility to

Stresses an increased sensitivity or openness to being affected by something negative.

increase the chances of

Similar to increasing the risk, but with a slightly less formal tone.

pave the way for

Suggests creating conditions that make a negative outcome more likely or easier to occur.

set the stage for

Similar to paving the way, but implies a more deliberate or prepared setup.

give rise to

Implies that something directly causes or leads to a risk.

FAQs

How can I use "confer risk for" in a sentence?

Use "confer risk for" to indicate that something increases the likelihood of a negative outcome. For example, "Lack of exercise can "increase the risk of" heart disease".

What are some alternatives to "confer risk for"?

Alternatives include ""increase the risk of"", "raise the likelihood of", or "contribute to the risk of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "confer a risk" or "confer risk for"?

"Confer risk for" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "confer a risk" might be grammatically understandable, it is less frequently used and might sound awkward.

What's the difference between "confer risk for" and "pose a risk to"?

"Confer risk for" suggests that something actively increases the probability of a negative outcome, while "pose a risk to" indicates that something presents a potential danger or threat.