critical risks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical risks" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing significant potential problems or threats in various contexts, such as business, finance, or project management. For example: "The team identified several critical risks that could impact the project's timeline." Alternative expressions include "major risks" and "significant risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Shuttle program safety personnel failed to adequately assess anomalies and frequently accepted critical risks without qualitative or quantitative support, even when the tools to provide more comprehensive assessments were available.

The New York Times

In her first annual report, Dame Sally Davies says the problem of microbes becoming increasingly resistant to the most powerful drugs should be ranked alongside terrorism and climate change on the list of critical risks to the nation.

Independent

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, echoed that sentiment, saying that the critical risks to the American economy were a worsening of Europe's chronic sovereign debt crisis or a rise in tensions between Iran and the international community, which could stoke global oil prices.

The New York Times

The transportation of dangerous goods represents one of the most critical risks particularly in urban areas.

Transportation Research Procedia

It filtered the critical risks from 40 to 25%%, which helps to deal with CRs, efficiently and effectively.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

This method cannot only generate the quantitative risk results but also reveal the key defects and critical risks of defects.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In short, it has not been difficult for me to remain alive to this critical risk.

The Guardian

Those in Band F, where there is what it calls a "critical risk" of corruption, include Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

The Guardian - Business

Author Jeffrey Goldberg suggests Obama would act militarily against Iran if he were persuaded Israel was at critical risk.

The Guardian - Opinion

The service exceeded the agreed monthly turnaround times for tests 46 times in 2011, with critical risk levels breached 14 times.

The Guardian

The technology will provide the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) with information about hazardous materials, building plans, hydrant locations and critical risk data, the department said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific verbs like "identify", "assess", "mitigate" or "disclose" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Do not use "critical risks" to describe recurring minor issues. The term implies a severity level that could lead to system failure, significant loss or catastrophe. For recurring but manageable issues, consider using "operational challenges" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical risks" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "critical" acts as a classifier for the plural noun "risks". In professional contexts, it often serves as a technical classification within a larger risk management framework. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to distinguish the most severe category of potential issues from moderate or negligible ones.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critical risks" is an essential term in the lexicon of risk management, science and serious journalism. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently used to categorize potential dangers that are both high in probability and severe in impact. Whether discussing the "shuttle program" or global economic stability, the term provides a clear, authoritative signal of urgency. It is grammatically standard and highly effective in formal reporting where precision is required to distinguish between different levels of threat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant risks

Focuses on the statistical or qualitative importance of the potential problems

major threats

Emphasizes the external nature of the danger rather than internal systemic failure

key vulnerabilities

Highlights the specific points of weakness that allow risks to manifest

high-stakes risks

Underscores the severity of the consequences if the risk occurs

severe hazards

Often used in safety contexts to describe physical or environmental dangers

pivotal risks

Suggests that these risks are central to the outcome of a specific event

crucial dangers

Adds a sense of urgency and importance to the risk factors

fundamental risks

Refers to risks that are inherent to the system or environment itself

vital concerns

Phrases the risk as a matter of essential interest or worry

substantial perils

A more formal and slightly literary way to describe serious dangers

FAQs

How do I use "critical risks" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight high-priority issues, such as: "The auditor identified several "critical risks" that could jeopardize the project's completion date."

What is the difference between "critical risks" and "major threats"?

While both imply severity, "critical risks" is often used in internal management or technical contexts (like FMEA analysis), whereas "major threats" is more common in geopolitical or security discussions.

What can I say instead of "critical risks" in a business report?

Depending on your focus, you might use "significant vulnerabilities" or "high-priority risks" to specify which issues need immediate action.

Is "critical risks" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate. Ludwig shows extensive usage in scientific journals and technical reports to classify data points based on their impact and probability.