incur risks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incur risks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential negative consequences or dangers associated with a particular action or decision. Example: "Investing in the stock market can incur risks, but it also offers the potential for significant returns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 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

We lose net tax revenue; we incur risks of financial instability; entrepreneurial resource is diverted into unproductive activity; we create a culture that celebrates financial oligarchs and their values rather than what goes on in our great universities and great companies.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about potential downsides, use "incur risks" to convey the idea that certain actions or decisions might lead to negative consequences or dangers. It's suitable in contexts where there's an element of choice or acceptance of those risks.

Common error

Avoid using "incur risks" when describing situations where risks are imposed externally without any active decision-making. "Face risks" or "be exposed to risks" might be more appropriate when the subject is not actively choosing to take on potential dangers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incur risks" functions as a verb phrase, where "incur" acts as a transitive verb taking "risks" as its direct object. As shown by Ludwig AI, the phrase describes the action of bringing about or becoming subject to potential dangers or negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incur risks" is a valid and useful expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, meaning to become subject to potential dangers or negative outcomes. While it's grammatically correct and appears in various contexts like news, science, and business, its frequency is uncommon. When writing, remember that "incur risks" implies a degree of choice or acceptance of potential dangers as consequences of an action. Alternatives like "face dangers" or "run the risk of" might be more suitable when the subject is involuntarily exposed to risks. Properly using "incur risks" enhances clarity and precision in conveying the relationship between actions and their potential downsides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face dangers

Emphasizes confrontation with hazards, rather than the generation of risks.

encounter hazards

Highlights the act of coming across dangers, suggesting less control over the situation.

expose oneself to risks

Focuses on the agent deliberately placing themselves in a position of vulnerability.

take on hazards

Implies a voluntary acceptance of dangers, often with a sense of challenge.

invite perils

Suggests actions that indirectly lead to dangerous situations.

brave hazards

Highlights courage and resilience when facing dangerous circumstances.

meet with dangers

Similar to encountering hazards, but can imply a more forceful collision with risks.

risk experiencing

Focuses on the potential for undergoing negative outcomes.

run the risk of

Emphasizes the probability of a negative outcome, rather than the initial action.

be vulnerable to dangers

Stresses the state of being exposed to possible harm.

FAQs

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

You can use "incur risks" to describe situations where someone or something undertakes an action that might lead to negative consequences. For example, "Investing in new technology can "incur risks", but it can also yield significant rewards".

What are some alternatives to "incur risks"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "face dangers", "run the risk of", or "expose oneself to risks".

Is there a difference between "incur risks" and "take risks"?

"Incur risks" implies that the risks are a consequence of a decision or action, whereas "take risks" suggests a deliberate act of accepting potential dangers for a possible gain. The phrase "take risks" often carries a more positive or neutral connotation.

When is it more appropriate to use "face risks" instead of "incur risks"?

Use "face risks" when the subject is confronted with dangers that are unavoidable, rather than voluntarily accepting them as a consequence of their actions. "Incur risks" implies more agency and choice.