risk of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "risk of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of encountering a negative outcome or danger related to a specific situation or action. Example: "There is a significant risk of data loss if the backup system fails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, there's always the risk of something going viral.

The Guardian - Tech

"The risk of something seriously dangerous happening is in the five year timeframe.

The Guardian - Tech

What we can do is reduce the risk of something going wrong.

The Guardian

Assessing the risk of something even as plain vanilla as financing of auto loans is problematic for investors.

The New York Times

So they took the leap, the risk, of something that might not be uninspiring — that might actually be inspiring.

The New Yorker

Now attention has focused on how well prepared the participants were for the risk of something going wrong.

The New York Times - Science

Device programmers thus have to find behavioral policies that strike a balance between advancing the common goal and minimizing the risk of something going badly wrong.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And if you're keeping adjoining land, you may wish to protect yourself against the risk of something unattractive being built next door.

Harvard University

Run the risk of something going wrong? "To prove he stays a mile and a half is not really an advantage because we know he does.

The Guardian - Sport

The risk of something happening is especially high when all the rules have fallen away and society is held together by a sense that anything can happen.

The New York Times

Cost includes all costs direct (the price we charge) and indirect (switching costs, required complementary investments, the risk of something going wrong, and so forth).

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative outcomes, clearly identify what the "something" is. For example, instead of "the risk of something happening", specify "the risk of data breach".

Common error

Avoid using "risk of something" without specifying the potential negative consequence. Being vague reduces clarity and impact. Always clarify the "something" with specific details to convey a concrete threat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "risk of something" functions primarily as a noun phrase that introduces the possibility of an undesirable event or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly identifies potential negative consequences. It commonly sets the stage for further discussion or actions aimed at mitigating such risks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "risk of something" is a versatile and widely used expression to indicate the potential for a negative outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific domains. To maximize clarity, always specify what the "something" refers to, avoiding vague statements. Consider alternatives such as "chance of something" or "likelihood of something" to subtly shift the emphasis. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate potential risks and encourage proactive measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chance of something

Replaces "risk" with "chance", emphasizing the possibility of an event occurring.

likelihood of something

Substitutes "risk" with "likelihood", focusing on the probability of a specific event.

danger of something

Emphasizes the potential for harm or negative consequences.

threat of something

Highlights a potential source of harm or trouble.

possibility of something

Focuses on the mere potential for something to occur, without necessarily implying a high level of risk.

prospect of something

Indicates a potential future event, often negative.

fear of something

Highlights the apprehension or concern associated with a potential event.

potential for something

Focuses on the inherent capacity for something to happen.

hazard of something

Replaces "risk" with "hazard", emphasizing the inherent danger.

peril of something

Substitutes "risk" with "peril", conveying a sense of great danger.

FAQs

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

The phrase "risk of something" is used to indicate the possibility of a negative outcome. For example, "There is a "risk of something" going wrong during the surgery."

What are some alternatives to "risk of something"?

You can use alternatives like "chance of something", "likelihood of something", or "danger of something" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "risk of something happening" or "risk of something"?

While "risk of something happening" is more explicit, ""risk of something"" is acceptable when the context makes the meaning clear. For example: "There's a risk of complications".

What does "mitigate the risk of something" mean?

To "mitigate the "risk of something"" means to take actions to reduce the likelihood or severity of a potential negative outcome. It implies proactive measures to lessen potential harm.