risk of sounding

USAGE SUMMARY

"risk of sounding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express the possibility that something you are about to say may appear dumb or wrong. For example: I risk of sounding silly, but I don't understand what you mean.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At the risk of sounding like I'm….

The New Yorker

At the risk of sounding smug, we didn't.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the risk of sounding trite, but truly, we are encountering technical difficulties.

Harvard University

At the risk of sounding just kind of besotted, his films are uncommonly beautiful.

The New Yorker

"At the risk of sounding corny, it is a warm fuzzy feeling.

The New York Times

At the risk of sounding obvious, Ethan Johns is an extraordinary mixer, engineer and producer.

The New York Times - Arts

At the risk of sounding hopelessly pious, I would suggest one above all others: reading.

The Guardian - Opinion

"At the risk of sounding like a bigot, I think this is nuts!" said another.

The Guardian

At the risk of sounding prudish, I would call this style "healthy singing".

The New York Times - Arts

At the risk of sounding vain, people have begun to identify me with this place.

The Guardian

But at the risk of sounding like a school marm: watch yourself.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "risk of sounding" with a specific adjective to clarify the potential negative quality you're trying to avoid (e.g., "At the risk of sounding arrogant...").

Common error

Avoid using "risk of sounding" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing seem hesitant or insincere. Vary your introductory phrases to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "risk of sounding" functions as a disclaimer or hedge, used to preface a statement that the speaker anticipates might be perceived negatively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and indicates awareness of potential misinterpretations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "risk of sounding" is a versatile introductory phrase used to soften potentially contentious statements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It serves as a disclaimer, indicating an awareness of potential misinterpretations and aiming to mitigate negative impacts. While suitable for various contexts, it's most prevalent in news and media, with a neutral register. Alternatives like "without wishing to sound" and "at the peril of seeming" offer nuanced substitutes, but overuse of the phrase should be avoided to maintain writing sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the risk of appearing

Focuses on the potential negative appearance or impression created.

with the risk of seeming

Highlights the chance of seeming a certain way, often undesirable.

at the peril of seeming

Emphasizes a greater danger of creating a negative impression.

if I don't want to sound like

Directly addresses the avoidance of sounding a particular way.

without wishing to sound

Indicates a desire to avoid a specific tone or implication.

I hesitate to say this because it might sound

Expresses reluctance due to the potential negative sound of the statement.

lest I be perceived as

Formal way of expressing concern about being perceived negatively.

for fear of sounding

Highlights the fear of creating a specific impression.

I'm afraid this might sound

Expresses apprehension about the possible negative reception of the statement.

if I may say so without sounding

Indicates a desire to express something without creating a negative impression.

FAQs

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

You can start a sentence with "At the risk of sounding [adjective]...", followed by your statement. For instance, "At the "risk of sounding presumptuous", I think I have a better solution."

What are some alternatives to using "risk of sounding"?

Alternatives include phrases like "without wishing to sound", "I hesitate to say this because it might sound", or "if I may say so without sounding", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "risk of sounding" before a potentially controversial statement?

No, it's not always necessary. Use it when you want to soften the impact of your statement and show awareness of potential misinterpretations. Overusing it can make your writing seem hesitant.

What's the difference between "risk of sounding" and "danger of sounding"?

"Risk of sounding" and "danger of sounding" are quite similar. "Danger" suggests a more severe potential consequence than "risk", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.