is rather risky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather risky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or action that involves a significant level of risk or uncertainty. Example: "Investing in volatile stocks is rather risky, especially for inexperienced investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dr. Johnson and Boswell may have downed two bottles of 18percentt alcohol in an evening, but just one bottle of zinfandel of that strength is rather risky these days.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's rather risky.

The Guardian - Books

Most of these steps are rather risky to take, please try to be careful.

WikiHow

Because it is rather pricey (and risky) today being an author in Afrikaans, most aspirant authors test their skills on Woes.co.za.

WikiHow

Being not prepared is a rather risky strategy, which might lead to losing the "licensee to operate".

European Journal of Futures Research

In contrary, Scenario 1 is considered rather risky and probably as a consequence to that, its score on all remaining criteria is low (Fig. 9).

European Transport Research Review

It's a rather risky move for Mr Obama to be making this late in the game, one that could be seen as overkill.

The Economist

He knew it was a rather risky affair as the streets were full of "patriotically" minded people rejoicing and celebrating the prospect of a quick victorious war against their neighbour.

BBC

This would have the potential to be a rather risky option for the Fed, despite significant enthusiasm from several members of the committee to go now, which means if the Fed were to move today, Janet Yellen's press conference would then be an exercise in expectations management, though this would be equally true if they hold rate, as is widely expected, though it would be an easier task to manage.

The Guardian - Business

It's short, rather risky stays on the surface, or underground for the long haul.

Huffington Post

Then government bonds are not as expensive as many had thought, and shares and corporate bonds are rather more expensive and the riskier the asset and the loftier its price, the dearer it will look.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is rather risky", consider your audience and the context. It strikes a balance between informality and seriousness, suitable for general discussions but potentially requiring stronger language in formal risk assessments. Use specific details to clarify the nature and extent of the risk.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather risky" when the situation involves imminent danger or minimal hazard. Choose language that accurately reflects the severity of the potential consequences, such as "is extremely dangerous" or "presents a minor inconvenience", respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather risky" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It qualifies a subject by attributing a characteristic of being moderately dangerous or uncertain. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather risky" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations or actions that carry a moderate level of risk. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's suitable for many contexts, including news and general discussions, more precise language may be required in formal settings. Alternatives like "is quite risky" or "is fairly risky" can be used depending on the intended emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of risk involved and provides sufficient context for the audience to understand the potential consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite risky

Slightly more emphasis on the risk involved compared to "rather risky".

is fairly risky

Similar in meaning but suggests a slightly lower level of risk.

is somewhat risky

Indicates a moderate level of risk.

is a bit dicey

More informal and colloquial, implying a risky or uncertain situation.

involves some peril

More formal and emphasizes the potential for danger.

carries a certain risk

Highlights the presence of risk without specifying the degree.

is fraught with danger

Strongly emphasizes the presence of multiple dangers or risks.

presents some hazards

More formal and focuses on potential hazards or dangers.

is not without its dangers

Understated way of indicating that risks exist.

entails a degree of uncertainty

Focuses on the uncertainty associated with the situation, rather than direct risk.

FAQs

What does "is rather risky" mean?

The phrase "is rather risky" indicates that something involves a significant level of risk or potential danger, although perhaps not the highest level of risk.

What can I say instead of "is rather risky"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite risky", "is fairly risky", or "is somewhat risky" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is rather risky" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "is rather risky" when you want to convey that an action or situation involves more than just a little risk but isn't extremely dangerous. It's a moderate expression of risk.

Is "is rather risky" formal or informal?

The phrase "is rather risky" is generally considered neutral, leaning slightly towards the informal side. It's suitable for most everyday conversations but might be replaced with more precise or formal language in highly professional or academic contexts.