risk of sentimentality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "risk of sentimentality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for excessive emotional expression or nostalgia in a piece of writing, art, or conversation. Example: "While the film was beautifully shot, it walked a fine line, often teetering on the risk of sentimentality that could alienate some viewers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The risk of sentimentality is great.

The New Yorker

It occasionally runs the risk of sentimentality.

The Guardian

– but also offset the risk of sentimentality in the telling of an unusually uplifting story.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It also created the risk of sentimentality, which Bearden routinely avoided.

The New York Times - Arts

As bomb-disposal experts, they are in the business of saving people's lives, but they do it with enough juiced-up aggression that there's no risk of sentimentality.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"There are risks of sentimentality," he says.

The Guardian - Books

What was needed, he concluded, was "some weird bunch of anti-rebels, born oglers who dare somehow to back away from ironic watching" and "risk accusations of sentimentality, melodrama.

The Guardian - Books

You may endorse the artist's terms for this flustering tension, at a risk of tipping sensation into sentimentality.

The New Yorker

A few weeks ago, Blair's successor, Gordon Brown, appeared with Livingstone to offer his endorsement — although the tenor of the occasion put neither man at risk of being accused of mawkish sentimentality.

The New Yorker

Spareness can be too spare, and a reticent avoidance of sentimentality can itself prove sentimental.

The New Yorker

If the producers risk anything, it is perhaps pushing the limits of sentimentality too far even by dog-lovers' standards.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "risk of sentimentality", consider whether a more precise term might better convey the specific type of excessive emotion you're referring to, such as "mawkishness" or "pathos".

Common error

While "risk of sentimentality" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or academic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler language like "being too sappy" or "getting carried away" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "risk of sentimentality" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a potential negative attribute or consequence associated with a particular situation, artistic work, or form of expression. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "risk of sentimentality" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, where it serves to caution against the potential for excessive emotional expression or nostalgia. While alternatives like "danger of excessive emotion" exist, "risk of sentimentality" maintains a formal tone suitable for analytical writing and critical reviews. Using the phrase mindfully and considering alternative options can ensure clarity and appropriateness in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

danger of excessive emotion

Emphasizes the potential harm or negative consequences of too much emotion.

threat of being overly sentimental

Highlights the potential for something to become excessively emotional.

possibility of mawkishness

Focuses on the potential for something to become excessively and distastefully sentimental.

potential for emotional excess

Highlights that there's a chance for emotion to be overdone or exaggerated.

tendency toward sappiness

Indicates a natural inclination to be overly sentimental and emotional.

likelihood of emotional indulgence

Stresses the probability of giving in to sentimental feelings.

pitfalls of excessive nostalgia

Highlights the negative aspects of being overly attached to the past.

temptation to wallow in sentiment

Focuses on the allure and the potential downfall of dwelling on emotional feelings.

inclination towards emotional indulgence

Similar to tendency, but suggests more of a deliberate choice to engage in sentimentality.

proclivity for overwrought emotion

Stresses a natural inclination for emotions that are exaggerated or excessively dramatic.

FAQs

How can I use "risk of sentimentality" in a sentence?

You can use "risk of sentimentality" to describe situations where there's a possibility of excessive emotional expression. For instance: "The director aimed for realism, carefully avoiding the "risk of sentimentality" that often plagues similar stories."

What are some alternatives to "risk of sentimentality"?

Alternatives include "danger of excessive emotion", "threat of being overly sentimental", or "potential for mawkishness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "risk of sentimentality"?

The phrase is suitable for analytical or critical writing where you're discussing the potential for emotional excess in art, literature, or other forms of expression. It fits well in professional or academic contexts.

Is "risk for sentimentality" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "risk of sentimentality" is the more standard and grammatically preferred phrasing. "Risk for" typically implies a specific factor contributing to the risk, whereas "risk of" describes the risk itself.