risks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "risks" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the likelihood of something bad or harmful happening, or something that could potentially cause harm. For example, "The company must assess potential risks before beginning the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there are risks.

The New York Times

With a few exceptions, it was hardly possible to imagine Embassy officials or troops in Baghdad taking great risks to get their Iraqi contacts out before we left.

The Economist

"We know that abortion carries risks to the life of the woman – illegal abortion as much as legal abortion," she says, adding that the movement would like to see the legal exemptions removed and abortion completely criminalised.

The Guardian

This is all the more urgent because of the growing risk that for the many who have accumulated long jobless spells, discouragement and loss of human capital make their reintegration more difficult, that is, their unemployment risks becoming structural in nature.

The Guardian - Business

The latest Chilcot report concludes that while it is feasible to design a legally compliant regime, the use of intercept evidence would not be consistent with previous operational requirements and would incur significant costs and risks for uncertain benefits in terms of increased numbers of successful prosecutions.

The Guardian

The risks, though, are considerable – not least because if The X Factor flops, then Fox may well drop the show and concentrate its efforts on Idol.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The women in question were vulnerable in the sense that they were exposed to the inherent risks of their occupation.

The Guardian

But it's clear that Benioff and Weiss are increasingly confident in taking risks with George RR Martin's source material, and that those risks largely work.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We see him as the only high profile UK politician outside of Green party who has actually delivered real improvements to our environment and who has taken risks to promote green innovations.

The Guardian - Opinion

It goes on to warn: In addition, house prices have increased rapidly and may create risks to financial stability in the case of a downward adjustment".

The Guardian - Business

An official statement read: "Police advised that there were concerns about potential risks to the event, if it took place.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "risks", clearly specify what or who is at risk to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "risks" without providing specific context. Clearly define what the potential harm is and to whom or what it applies. Otherwise, your statement may lack impact.

Linguistic Context

The term "risks" primarily functions as a plural noun, denoting potential dangers, hazards, or negative consequences associated with a particular action, situation, or entity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "risks" is a versatile plural noun used to denote potential dangers or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discourse. When using "risks", ensure you clearly specify what or who is at risk to enhance clarity. Common synonyms include "hazards", "dangers", and "perils". To avoid ambiguity, always provide specific context and define the potential harm involved. Overall, "risks" is a crucial term for effective communication about potential negative outcomes and informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential hazards

Focuses on the potential for danger or harm.

possible dangers

Emphasizes the possibility of encountering dangerous situations.

inherent perils

Highlights dangers that are naturally part of something.

threats involved

Focuses on the presence of potential threats.

associated uncertainties

Highlights the uncertainties linked to a situation.

potential exposures

Emphasizes the possibility of being exposed to harmful elements.

possible liabilities

Focuses on potential legal or financial obligations.

downside possibilities

Highlights the potential negative outcomes.

contingent liabilities

Focuses on liabilities that may occur depending on a certain event.

latent dangers

Implies hidden or not yet obvious dangers.

FAQs

How to use "risks" in a sentence?

You can use "risks" to describe potential dangers or uncertainties, such as "The project involves several financial risks", or "There are health risks associated with smoking".

What are some synonyms for "risks"?

Synonyms for "risks" include "hazards", "dangers", "perils", and "threats", each carrying slightly different connotations.

When should I use "risks" versus "risk"?

"Risk" is singular and refers to a single instance of potential harm, while "risks" is plural and refers to multiple potential harms. For example, "There is a risk of fire", versus "There are multiple risks involved in this operation".

What is the difference between "risks" and "challenges"?

"Risks" generally refer to potential negative outcomes or dangers, while "challenges" refer to difficulties or obstacles that need to be overcome. "Risks" imply potential harm, while "challenges" imply a need for effort and problem-solving.