face a risk

USAGE SUMMARY

"face a risk" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone must confront a challenge, or take a gamble, in order to achieve a goal. For example: "In order to secure a better future, John decided to face the risk of taking out a loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Men being treated also face a risk from surgical procedures and side effects.

The New York Times - Health

Children in that age group normally face a risk of cancer of one in a million, according to the agency.

The New York Times - Health

It appears that the only exceptions will be those who face "a risk of serious irreversible harm" if they are sent back to face possible torture or execution.

The Guardian

But the pill is increasingly being recommended for women approaching menopause whose own estrogen levels are dropping but who still face a risk of becoming pregnant.

The New York Times - Science

The new findings suggest that players also face a risk of subtle neurological deficits that don't show up on normal clinical tests.

The Guardian

With the sides unable to agree on the terms of a promised Israeli prisoner release, the negotiations appear to face a risk of collapse in the coming weeks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Physicians within the HMO network are often at financial risk; they are capitated or face a risk-sharing withdrawal [ 7- 14].

BMC Health Services Research

That is because company bosses are now facing a risk to which most of them are unaccustomed: prison.

The Economist

Sturm and his colleagues found that individuals with two copies of the MC1R version that leads to red hair and fair skin--redheads all--face a risk of melanoma four times greater than do Australians without the mutation.

Science Magazine

The men whom the communities hope to welcome--Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian, and Ravil Mingazov, a Russian--face a risk of persecution, torture, incarceration or death if returned to their home countries.

Huffington Post

From experience, he knew he faced a risk in picking the wrong CNBC correspondent for the interview.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the phrase "face a risk" when presenting potential negative outcomes, particularly in scenarios involving decision-making or strategic planning, for example, “the project faces a risk of cost overruns”.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of the risk when using "face a risk". Use precise language to accurately represent the potential negative impact and its probability. Avoid using this phrase when the risk is negligible or hypothetical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face a risk" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that someone or something is in a situation where they might experience harm or negative consequences. It is commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and business, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face a risk" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that indicates exposure to potential harm or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When using "face a risk", clarity is key; ensure that the specific risk is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "run the risk of" or "be exposed to danger" can offer subtle variations in meaning, while maintaining a formal register. Be mindful of potential overstatement and strive for precision when communicating the nature and severity of the risk.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run the risk of

This phrase emphasizes the act of taking on a risk, with a focus on the potential negative outcome.

encounter a hazard

This phrase replaces "risk" with "hazard", emphasizing a potential source of danger.

confront a peril

Replaces "risk" with "peril", suggesting a grave and imminent danger.

be exposed to danger

This alternative uses a passive construction and highlights the state of being vulnerable.

be vulnerable to

This variant focuses on the susceptibility to a negative outcome or threat.

be in jeopardy

This option uses a more formal and dramatic term, "jeopardy", to convey a serious risk.

be susceptible to a threat

This alternative emphasizes potential harm with the term "threat".

open oneself to risk

Highlights the active decision or situation that makes one susceptible to risk.

brave a danger

Replaces "face" with "brave", suggesting courage when confronting a risk

meet a contingency

Emphasizes preparation to confront a difficult situation

FAQs

What does it mean to "face a risk"?

To "face a risk" means to confront a situation where there is a possibility of something unfavorable happening. It implies acknowledging and dealing with potential dangers or negative consequences.

How can I use "face a risk" in a sentence?

You can use "face a risk" to describe situations where someone or something is exposed to potential harm. For example, "Companies "face a risk" of financial losses due to market volatility."

What are some alternatives to "face a risk"?

Alternatives to "face a risk" include "run the risk of", "be exposed to danger", or "be in jeopardy", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "face a risk" formal or informal?

"Face a risk" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it appropriate for various types of communication, from business reports to casual conversations.