increasing the risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increasing the risk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that elevate the likelihood of a negative outcome or danger. Example: "Failing to follow safety protocols is increasing the risk of accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We are increasing the risk of operational failure.

The Guardian

Pooled blood moves slowly, increasing the risk of clot formation.

The New York Times - Health

Never mind that this would mean increasing the risk of innocent men being convicted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Immunisation courses are not properly completed, increasing the risk of transferable diseases.

The Guardian

"We are not increasing the risk for ourselves or the borrower," the Lloyds spokeswoman said.

The Guardian - Money

Labour's energy spokeswoman said the government's energy policy was increasing the risk of power cuts.

The Guardian - Business

Aid workers reported that they were running out of clean water, increasing the risk of cholera.

The New York Times

Raw sewage mixed with flood waters was increasing the risk of disease.

The Guardian

New products like bagged salads require extra handling, increasing the risk of contamination.

The New York Times - Health

"Climate change is aggravating bushfire conditions and thus increasing the risk of fire," said the report.

The Guardian

Synthetic testosterone can also inhibit good cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increasing the risk", clearly specify what the risk is and what factors are contributing to its increase. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "increasing the risk" without specifying the type of risk. Being vague about the risk makes your statement less impactful and harder to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasing the risk" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase because it uses the present participle form of the verb ('increasing') functioning as a noun. It describes an ongoing action that is contributing to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. This aligns with examples provided by Ludwig AI, where the phrase consistently denotes an elevation of potential danger or negative consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increasing the risk" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent expression used to convey the idea of actions or conditions that elevate the likelihood of a negative outcome. Ludwig AI analysis shows its common application in "News & Media" and "Science", reflecting its neutrality and suitability for objective reporting and scientific discourse. To ensure clarity and effectiveness, specify what risk is being increased. Alternatives like "heightening the risk" or "raising the risk" can be employed for stylistic variation. This phrase serves to warn, inform, and encourage caution by emphasizing the possible adverse consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heightening the risk

Replaces "increasing" with "heightening", emphasizing the intensification of the risk.

raising the risk

Substitutes "increasing" with "raising", indicating an upward shift in risk level.

elevating the risk

Uses "elevating" instead of "increasing", suggesting a more formal or pronounced increase in risk.

aggravating the risk

Replaces "increasing" with "aggravating", implying the risk is made worse or more serious.

boosting the risk

Uses "boosting" instead of "increasing", suggesting a more rapid or significant rise in risk.

magnifying the risk

Replaces "increasing" with "magnifying", emphasizing the expansion or amplification of the risk.

escalating the risk

Substitutes "increasing" with "escalating", indicating a gradual but continuous increase in risk.

compounding the risk

Uses "compounding" instead of "increasing", implying the risk is growing due to multiple factors.

worsening the risk

Replaces "increasing" with "worsening", emphasizing the deterioration of the situation and its resulting risk.

fueling the risk

Substitutes "increasing" with "fueling", indicating that something is actively contributing to the growth of the risk.

FAQs

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

You can use "increasing the risk" to describe situations where certain actions or conditions elevate the probability of a negative outcome. For example, "Poor sanitation is increasing the risk of disease."

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

Alternatives include "heightening the risk", "raising the risk", or "elevating the risk" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "increasing the risk" or "increasing the risks"?

"Increasing the risk" is generally used when referring to a general or singular risk. "Increasing the risks" is appropriate when referring to multiple distinct risks or a variety of potential negative outcomes.

What's the difference between "increasing the risk" and "mitigating the risk"?

"Increasing the risk" describes actions or situations that elevate the likelihood of a negative outcome, while "mitigating the risk" refers to actions taken to reduce or lessen the probability or impact of a potential negative outcome.