risky

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'risky' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that involves a greater chance of failure in exchange for possible gain. For example, "Investing in the stock market is a risky decision, but it can also yield high rewards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People who worked 49-54 hours a week ran a 13% higher risk of developing a "risky alcohol use" habit compared to counterparts who worked a 35-40-hour 35-40-hour 35-40-hour work week

The Guardian

The increased risk of developing a "risky" drinking habit from over-work was small in absolute terms, Okechukwu said.

The Guardian

Berlin has already made perfectly clear that any changes to European treaties would be too risky.

The Guardian

Putting gardens on to roofs can be a risky business, and the garden at the School of Oriental and African Studies was no exception.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bullock is one of about 100 managers appointed by Network Rail since 2010, with the job of eliminating as many risky level crossings as possible.

The Guardian

The financing of such outdated, dirty and highly risky technology should be averted by all means".

The Guardian

And there were anxious murmurs from the sector earlier this month when Eco-Actif – a community interest company spin-out and sub-contractor providing support for the long-term jobless in south- east London – went into voluntary liquidation, claiming its banks considered the Work Programme too financially risky.

The Guardian

Buying individual stocks is risky but you can spread the risk by buying a fund.

The Guardian - Money

The research by KPMG comes as analysis pointed to a 64% increase since 2010 in new mortgage lending that would be viewed as risky by the Bank of England.

The Guardian - Business

"Risky" alcohol use was defined as consuming more than 21 units per week for men and more than 14 units per week for women.

The Guardian - Money

The study found the association between risky alcohol use and lengthy working hours to be independent of age, gender or even socioeconomic status.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "risky" to indicate a situation involves uncertainty and potential negative consequences, prompting careful consideration and planning.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "risky". Instead, specify what the potential negative consequences are and, if possible, quantify the likelihood of them occurring. For instance, instead of saying "The project is risky", say "The project carries a high risk of cost overruns and delays".

Linguistic Context

"Risky" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that involves the possibility of danger, failure, or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "risky" is a versatile adjective used to describe situations, actions, or investments that involve the possibility of negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, most notably in news, business, and scientific reporting. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "dangerous" or "hazardous", "risky" offers a nuanced way to convey the presence of both potential rewards and potential dangers. It's most effective when the nature and likelihood of the risk are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dangerous

General term referring to the possibility of suffering harm or injury.

perilous

Implies a more immediate and severe danger than "risky".

hazardous

Focuses on the potential for physical harm or damage.

chancy

Suggests a high degree of uncertainty and reliance on luck.

precarious

Indicates instability and a vulnerability to sudden failure.

uncertain

Highlights the lack of predictability and potential for unexpected outcomes.

speculative

Emphasizes the dependence on assumptions and the possibility of loss.

treacherous

Implies hidden dangers and the potential for betrayal or deception.

high-stakes

Highlights the significance of potential outcomes, both positive and negative.

insecure

Suggests a lack of stability and potential for loss or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "risky" in a sentence?

You can use "risky" to describe an action, venture, or situation that involves the possibility of loss, harm, or failure. For example, "Investing in penny stocks is a "risky" venture."

What are some alternatives to saying "risky"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "dangerous", "hazardous", "perilous", or "uncertain".

Which is correct: "a risky situation" or "a riskful situation"?

"A "risky" situation" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Riskful" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "risky" and "reckless"?

"Risky" implies awareness of potential dangers but a willingness to proceed despite them. "Reckless" implies a disregard for or obliviousness to those dangers. Therefore, being "reckless" often suggests a higher degree of irresponsibility compared to being "risky".