heightens the risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightens the risk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or actions that increase the likelihood of a negative outcome or danger. Example: "The lack of proper safety measures heightens the risk of accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A tangle of factors heightens the risk for black women.

The New York Times

This heightens the risk of errors in published information".

Independent

A history of previous attempts at suicide heightens the risk of a successful suicide.

University of California, Berkeley

"This development heightens the risk of escalation and contributes to raising tensions in the region.

The Guardian

The resulting increased travel time for trauma cases heightens the risk of adverse outcomes, including death.

The New York Times

"Obviously, giving amnesty to those who have destroyed forests heightens the risk of new deforestation".

The New York Times

The proximity heightens the risk as the consequences caused by vessel burst can be more catastrophic than the former condition.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

In addition eating large amounts of salt, another staple ingredient of processed foods, heightens the risk of stomach cancer.

The Guardian

A reckless approach that heightens the risk of an oil shale bust would only set us back.

The Washington Post

It also heightens the risk that a long-forgotten favorite song will pop up, for better or for worse, in mixed company.

The New York Times - Tech

"To fail to do so now, when the demand for dollars is still strong, heightens the risk of a sharper adjustment later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heightens the risk", ensure that the subject causing the increased risk is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This heightens the risk", specify "The lack of training heightens the risk of accidents".

Common error

Avoid starting sentences with vague pronouns like "it" or "this" when using "heightens the risk". Clearly state what specific factor is increasing the risk. For example, instead of "It heightens the risk", specify "Insufficient data validation heightens the risk of errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightens the risk" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "heightens" acts as a transitive verb taking "the risk" as its object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heightens the risk" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate an increased probability of a negative outcome across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media and Science domains, its register is generally neutral, though adaptable to more formal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the cause of the heightened risk is explicitly stated. Alternatives such as "increases the likelihood" or "elevates the danger" can offer nuanced variations. In summary, "heightens the risk" is a versatile and effective way to communicate increased potential for negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increases the likelihood of

Replaces "risk" with "likelihood" and uses the verb "increases" instead of "heightens".

raises the probability of

Uses "probability" instead of "risk" and "raises" instead of "heightens".

elevates the danger of

Substitutes "risk" with "danger" and "heightens" with "elevates".

aggravates the chance of

Replaces "risk" with "chance" and "heightens" with "aggravates", suggesting a worsening of the situation.

exacerbates the possibility of

Uses "possibility" instead of "risk" and "exacerbates" instead of "heightens", implying an increase in severity.

intensifies the threat of

Substitutes "risk" with "threat" and "heightens" with "intensifies", emphasizing the severity of the potential negative outcome.

worsens the hazard of

Replaces "risk" with "hazard" and "heightens" with "worsens", indicating a deterioration of the situation.

deepens the precariousness of

Substitutes "risk" with "precariousness" and "heightens" with "deepens", suggesting a greater level of instability.

amplifies the peril of

Replaces "risk" with "peril" and "heightens" with "amplifies", which may add intensity.

augments the instability of

Substitutes "risk" with "instability" and "heightens" with "augments", suggesting greater volatility.

FAQs

What does "heightens the risk" mean?

The phrase "heightens the risk" means to increase the probability or possibility of something dangerous, negative, or undesirable occurring. It implies that a particular action, condition, or factor makes a negative outcome more likely.

What are some alternatives to saying "heightens the risk"?

You can use alternatives like "increases the likelihood of", "raises the probability of", or "elevates the danger of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "heightens the risk" or "increases the risk"?

Both "heightens the risk" and "increases the risk" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Heightens" might suggest a more significant escalation of risk compared to "increases", but the choice often depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

You can use "heightens the risk" by clearly stating what factor is increasing the risk. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols "heightens the risk" of workplace accidents."