risks less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "risks less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of risk associated with different actions or decisions, indicating that one option is safer than another. Example: "Investing in government bonds risks less than investing in volatile stocks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Because our bankruptcy laws make taking risks less risky, for everyone, everyone takes more risks.

The New Yorker

The company thus risks less than some more traditional food retailers in taking a stance on labeling.

The New York Times

Americans fought to provide the same debt relief for everyone because we believe in equality, and because bankruptcy protection makes taking risks less risky.

The New Yorker

Ethel Zogg, a production underwriter for the Distinguished Programs Insurance Group, said that the company's pollution policy also covers risks less obvious than those posed by lead, asbestos and leaking fuel oil.

The New York Times

Because decision theory suggests that people assess risks before they engage in risky behavior (Glöckner and Betsch 2008), we predict that higher overconfidence leads to more positive risk assessments: Project managers with greater overconfidence consider project-related risks less likely.

Business Research

Dunlap and McCright reference Yale University's Dan Kahan, who researched the so-called "white male effect" in a study finding that white men fear various risks less than women and minorities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In either case, the proximity to peril is intentional, and that makes the risk less compelling.

The New York Times - Books

More risk, less reward: now, that's something to worry about.

The New Yorker

People with more money tend to gamble more often than poor people, but they risk less, the researchers said.

The New York Times - Health

And national security is at risk less often than most politicians believe.

The Economist

SABMiller is now listed in London, where investors' pockets are deeper and the political risk less.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing different options, use "risks less" to highlight the option with a lower probability of negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "risks less" when you actually mean something is 'less risky'. The phrase implies an active decision to take on a reduced risk, not simply that a situation inherently carries less danger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "risks less" primarily functions as a verb phrase accompanied by an adverb, indicating the act of undertaking something with a diminished level of potential danger or negative consequence. Ludwig AI shows this in examples where actions are compared based on their associated risks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "risks less" is used to express a comparative reduction in potential danger or negative consequences. Grammatically correct, it functions as a verb phrase with an adverb. According to Ludwig AI, its register is generally neutral, appearing in science, news and media and business contexts. While not exceedingly common, understanding its proper use—to denote actively taking on a reduced risk rather than describing an inherently less risky situation—will ensure clarity and precision in your writing. Consider alternative phrases like "incurs less risk" for enhanced expressiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incurs less risk

Uses "incurs" as a synonym for "risks", emphasizing the act of taking on risk.

faces lower risks

Replaces "risks" with "faces", focusing on encountering risk rather than creating it.

is less exposed to risk

Emphasizes the state of being subjected to risk.

assumes a smaller risk

Highlights the acceptance of a lesser degree of risk.

carries less potential danger

Shifts the focus to the potential harm associated with the risk.

reduces potential hazards

Focuses on decreasing specific dangers or threats.

lessens the probability of harm

Quantifies risk as the likelihood of negative consequences.

minimizes chances of loss

Emphasizes the reduction of potential negative outcomes or failures.

safeguards against danger better

Highlights proactive protection to lower the likelihood of adverse effects.

employs safer approaches

Highlights the use of methods that assure higher safety levels.

FAQs

How can I use "risks less" in a sentence?

Use "risks less" to indicate that a particular action or choice involves a lower level of danger or potential negative consequences compared to another. For example, "Investing in government bonds "risks less" than investing in volatile stocks".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "risks less"?

You can use alternatives like "incurs less risk", "is less risky", or "faces lower risks" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "risks less" instead of "is less risky"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, ""risks less"" implies a deliberate action to reduce risk, whereas "is less risky" describes an inherent quality of a situation or choice. The better option depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "risks less" and "reduces risk"?

"Risks less" focuses on the comparative level of risk involved in a particular choice. "Reduces risk" indicates a direct action taken to decrease the level of risk.