despite the risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the risk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or decision is being taken regardless of the potential dangers or negative consequences involved. Example: "She decided to invest in the startup despite the risk of losing her savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Despite the risk, Gallacher won't die wondering.

Independent

Despite the risk, blocking shots is the Rangers calling card.

The New Yorker

Despite the risk, Biogen and Elan expect sizable demand for Tysabri.

The New York Times

Despite the risk, successful angels tend to be among the most optimistic of investors.

The New York Times

Such parties were popular at the time, despite the risk of disfigurement or death.

The New York Times - Books

This is happening despite the risk of lowering the credit rating of the new, combined entity.

The Economist

"People are not scared to come out onto the streets, despite the risk of violence".

The New York Times

"Plenty of families drank from that river, and still do despite the risk," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Towns and cities have long been established on flood plains, despite the risk of periodic flooding.

The Economist

Despite the risk of fleeing by sea, the number of people attempting it has been rising sharply.

The Guardian

And mothers here commonly breast-feed their infants, even those who are infected, despite the risk of transmission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "despite the risk", clearly articulate the potential benefits or reasons that outweigh the acknowledged risk. This provides context and strengthens the rationale behind the decision or action being taken.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the risk" when the risk is negligible or nonexistent. The phrase is most effective when there is a genuine and identifiable potential for negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the risk" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or situation occurs regardless of potential negative consequences. As seen on Ludwig AI, this structure is commonly used to highlight a contrast between a potential negative outcome and a chosen course of action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the risk" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an action is taken or a situation exists even when there are potential dangers or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the risk is genuine and that the context highlights a reasoned consideration. Alternatives like "in spite of the risk" and "regardless of the risk" can be used to vary your writing. Ultimately, the phrase is valuable for conveying resilience and a balanced perspective in the face of potential challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of the risk

Uses "in spite of" instead of "despite", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

regardless of the risk

Emphasizes that the risk does not affect the decision or action taken.

notwithstanding the risk

A more formal and slightly less common way to express the same concept.

even with the risk

Highlights the presence of the risk while still proceeding.

at the risk of

Focuses more on the potential negative outcome.

with the risk involved

Highlights the consideration of the risk as a factor.

in the face of the risk

Conveys a sense of bravery or defiance in confronting the risk.

accepting the risk

Emphasizes the willingness to take on the potential negative consequences.

knowing the risk

Implies awareness and acknowledgment of the potential negative consequences.

undeterred by the risk

Suggests that the risk does not discourage or prevent the action.

FAQs

How can I use "despite the risk" in a sentence?

Use "despite the risk" to show that an action is taken even though there is a possibility of something negative happening. For example: "She invested in the company "despite the risk" of losing her money."

What phrases are similar to "despite the risk"?

Alternatives include "in spite of the risk", "regardless of the risk", or "even with the risk". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the risk after using "despite the risk"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the risk provides clarity and context. For example, "Despite the risk" is less informative than "Despite the risk of failure, he proceeded with the project."

What's the difference between "despite the risk" and "because of the risk"?

"Despite the risk" means something happens even though there's a potential negative outcome, while "because of the risk" means the risk is the reason for the action. They have opposite meanings. For example: "Despite the risk, they invested." vs. "Because of the risk, they hesitated."