risking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "risking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of exposing oneself to the possibility of loss, harm, or danger in various contexts. Example: "He is risking his reputation by making such bold claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he had changed his mind about remaining silent about his detention despite risking having his books and pen taken from him.

The Guardian

"Novartis are wasting their money and patient's and public money, and risking the sight of many patients who cannot afford Lucentis, by attempting to market Lucentis as an alternative to Avastin when there is no significant clinical advantage to patients".

The Guardian

We will not seek to dissuade migrants from risking their lives with posters or radio spots but rather with the most persuasive means out there: the voices of survivors and the family members of missing migrants".

The Guardian

Since the scheme is so restricted, thousands of other Syrians have independently made their way to the UK, and at great personal cost – paying out huge sums to traffickers, smuggling themselves in lorries from Calais, or risking their lives in unseaworthy ships across the Mediterranean.

The Guardian

The situation is so bad that people are risking their lives, drowning trying to get to Europe.

The Guardian

First, it is risking one of the biggest budget measures – Scott Morrison's rejigging of last year's aged pension cuts for a fairer system which sees about 170,000 part-pensioners get about $30 more a fortnight while better off part-pensioners lose their payments.

The Guardian

It effectively put a limit on the amount of CO2 that the human activities such as burning fossil fuels can produce, without risking what scientists regard as dangerous climate change.

The Guardian

And, as Ryder says, if you eschew condoms, you may end up risking your life.

The Guardian

After living on the ice for two months, the crew sailed their lifeboats to the small and barren Elephant Island, before risking their lives navigating a further 800 nautical miles to the South Georgia whaling stations to find help.

The Guardian - Travel

Yet it is possible to both abhor Charlie Hebdo's cartoons, and at the same time recognise that risking being murdered for them might be worthy of recognition by a freedom of expression organisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's this big rumour that guys don't like to wear condoms, so it doesn't come up, and you end up risking your life," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "risking", ensure the potential negative outcome is clear to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "He is risking", specify "He is risking his reputation".

Common error

Avoid using "risking" when the potential negative consequence is negligible or highly improbable. Inflating the risk can weaken your argument or make your statement sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "risking" is as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses or as a gerund. Ludwig AI highlights its use in various sentence structures across diverse source categories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "risking" functions as a present participle or gerund, denoting the act of exposing oneself to potential danger or loss. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency, particularly within news and media contexts. When using "risking", specifying the potential negative outcome enhances clarity. Alternatives include "endangering" and "jeopardizing", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endangering

Focuses on the act of putting someone or something in danger.

jeopardizing

Highlights the potential loss or damage that could result.

imperiling

Similar to endangering, but often implies a more immediate or serious threat.

hazarding

Emphasizes the element of chance or uncertainty involved.

gambling

Implies taking a calculated risk with the hope of a positive outcome.

taking a chance

General term for accepting a risk.

staking

Suggests wagering something of value on an uncertain event.

exposing oneself

Highlights the vulnerability created by taking a risk.

laying on the line

Idiomatic expression emphasizing the high stakes involved.

playing with fire

Idiomatic expression warning of a dangerous or reckless course of action.

FAQs

How to use "risking" in a sentence?

"Risking" is the present participle of the verb "risk". It's often used to describe someone exposing themselves to potential harm or loss. For example, "They are "risking their lives" to cross the border".

What can I say instead of "risking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "endangering", "jeopardizing", or "gambling". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "risking to do something"?

While not grammatically incorrect, it's more common and natural to say "risking doing something". For example, "He is risking losing his job" is preferred over "He is risking to lose his job".

What's the difference between "risking" and "endangering"?

"Risking" implies a possibility of harm, while "endangering" suggests a more immediate and serious threat. You might "risk" a fine, but you "endanger" someone's life.