incur risk

USAGE SUMMARY

'incur risk' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the possibility of danger or loss. For example, "By investing in stocks, I knew I was incurring a certain amount of risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"But any time you do something for the first time, you incur risk.

The New York Times

It will disproportionately benefit the faster drivers and will inevitably incur risk".

The Guardian - Money

"Significant losses and a drop in position value caused the Copper River accounts to incur risk calls in September 2008, which it did not adequately address," he said.

The New York Times

Most employers would not incur risk because they hire insurance companies or other entities to manage health benefits for their employees, and the employers do not rule on individual claims, Democrats said.

The New York Times

Under the prospective payment system, however, hospitals incur risk when treating extraordinarily expensive patients (also called outlier patients).

Health Economics Review

Some people did incur risk to bring you the El Capitan Street View, however; Alex Honnold, Lynn Hill and Tommy Caldwell performed the climb used to capture the imagery, and they're much better people than you or I will ever be.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Why does Medicare spend so much for procedures and devices on patients who get no benefit and incur risks from them?

The New York Times

Besides the re-identification risks, sharing personal genomic data may incur risks for harms on participants.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Humans, like other animals, incur risks as they compete to defend or improve their standing in a social group.

Evolution and Human Behavior

The authors said that large clinical trials should be conducted to clarify which men might incur risks from testosterone supplementation that outweighed its benefits.

Los Angeles Times

We all recognize the need for courage to start a business, play competitive sports, incur risks in investments, lead a diverse team in competitive markets, or take on an outback adventure.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incur risk" when you want to emphasize the act of becoming subject to a risk, often as a consequence of a decision or action. For instance, "Companies may "incur risk" by delaying necessary updates to their security systems."

Common error

While both phrases relate to risk, "take a risk" implies a deliberate choice, whereas "incur risk" suggests becoming subject to risk, sometimes unintentionally. For instance, instead of saying "They took the risk of a data breach" (implying they intentionally chose it), say "They "incurred risk" of a data breach by neglecting security protocols."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incur risk" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "incur" is the verb, and "risk" is the noun acting as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for referring to the possibility of danger or loss.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incur risk" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe becoming subject to potential danger or loss, often as a result of a decision or action. While "incur risk" is similar to "take a risk", it differs subtly in that it emphasizes the consequence of an action, rather than a deliberate choice. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news media and scientific publications, maintaining a neutral tone. While not exceptionally common, it provides a precise way to describe the exposure to potential negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run the risk

Emphasizes the probability of experiencing an undesirable outcome.

expose oneself to danger

Highlights the vulnerability and potential for harm.

take a chance

Focuses on the deliberate act of accepting a possibility of loss or harm.

subject oneself to peril

Emphasizes the exposure to serious and immediate danger.

face potential hazards

Stresses the confrontation with possible dangers.

open oneself up to vulnerability

Highlights the acceptance of being susceptible to harm or attack.

invite potential losses

Focuses on the act of creating an opportunity for negative outcomes.

hazard

The expression is simpler and less formal.

venture

Suggests an undertaking with uncertain, potentially hazardous outcomes.

gamble

Implies a wager with an uncertain outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "incur risk" to describe becoming subject to a potential danger or negative consequence as a result of an action. For example, "Investing in a new business always involves "incurring risk"".

What is a good alternative to "incur risk"?

Alternatives to "incur risk" include "run the risk", "take a chance", or "expose oneself to danger" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "incur risk" and "take a risk"?

"Incur risk" suggests that the risk is a consequence of an action, whereas "take a risk" implies a deliberate choice to accept the risk. For example, "By not wearing a seatbelt, you "incur risk" of serious injury" versus "He "took a risk" by investing all of his savings in the stock market."

Is "incur risks" grammatically correct, or should it be "incur risk"?

Both "incur risk" and "incur risks" are grammatically correct. "Incur risk" is used when referring to risk in general, whereas "incur risks" is used when referring to multiple, specific risks.