immense risk

USAGE SUMMARY

"immense risk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a dangerous situation or something that has a lot of potential to cause harm, loss, or destruction. For example: The workers were aware of the immense risk they were taking as they attempted to right the capsized ship in the stormy sea.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But climate change still remains an immense risk facing humanity that requires a response.

University of California, Berkeley

He joined a long list of Frenchmen who have performed seemingly silly feats at great hardship and, often, immense risk.

The New York Times

These courageous people, who often speak out at immense risk to their own lives, have played a key role in promoting a peaceful settlement.

The Guardian

By venturing back on to this territory, Mr Cameron is taking an immense risk, not just with his own standing but with the reputation of politics more generally.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Mexican historian and essayist Enrique Krauze told me, "There's an immense risk in approaching a person that has done such harm with a sympathetic view.

The New Yorker

Given the immense risk posed by widespread environmental pollution by inorganic and organic chemicals, novel methods of decontamination and clean-up are required.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"I take immense risks.

The New York Times

"The secrecy that surrounds these drugs creates immense risks.

The Guardian

Hollywood, record labels and tech giants such as Apple, Google and Samsung face immense risks and opportunities, says Carter.

The Guardian - Tech

In spite of the immense risks, she told me, "I loved having someone my own age around.

The New Yorker

"I'm not a scientist" is used to abdicate responsibility for mitigating the immense risks posed by climate change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immense risk" to emphasize the magnitude of potential negative consequences. Ensure the context clearly defines what specific dangers are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "immense risk" hyperbolically. Ensure that the situation genuinely warrants such a strong descriptor by providing clear evidence of the scale and potential impact of the risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense risk" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'immense' intensifies the noun 'risk'. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to highlight a significant potential for danger or negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "immense risk" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote a significant potential for danger or negative outcomes. Ludwig's analysis indicates its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and business contexts, highlighting its versatility and relevance across different domains. It's crucial to use the phrase when the scale and impact of the risk are genuinely substantial. Remember to provide clear evidence to support the use of this strong descriptor, avoiding hyperbolic or unsubstantiated claims. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a powerful tool for effectively communicating the magnitude of potential harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave danger

Emphasizes the severity of the danger using "grave" instead of "immense".

substantial hazard

Replaces "risk" with "hazard", indicating a potential source of danger.

considerable peril

Substitutes both words, suggesting a state of serious and immediate danger.

serious exposure

Highlights the state of being subjected to potential harm or loss.

significant threat

Changes the noun to "threat", highlighting the potential for harm.

huge jeopardy

Emphasizes a great exposure to loss or danger.

extreme vulnerability

Focuses on the state of being open to harm, using "vulnerability".

critical uncertainty

Shifts the focus to the unpredictable and potentially negative outcomes.

major liability

Replaces "risk" with "liability", implying legal or financial responsibility for potential harm.

monumental gamble

Changes the focus to a situation where the outcome is highly uncertain and the stakes are high.

FAQs

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

You can use "immense risk" to describe situations with a high probability of significant negative outcomes. For example: "Investing in that venture carries an immense risk of financial loss."

What are some alternatives to "immense risk"?

Alternatives include phrases like "grave danger", "substantial hazard", or "considerable peril", each subtly altering the emphasis on the nature and severity of the potential harm.

Is there a difference between "immense risk" and "great risk"?

While both phrases denote a high degree of potential danger, "immense risk" suggests a larger scale of possible negative consequences compared to "great risk". The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "immense risk" versus "slight risk"?

"Immense risk" is appropriate when the potential for significant harm or loss is very high. Conversely, "slight risk" is used when the potential for negative consequences is minimal and unlikely.