risky undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"risky undertaking" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that involves a significant degree of risk, for example: "The expedition to the North Pole was a risky undertaking, but ultimately successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was a risky undertaking.

The Guardian

The Hours is a risky undertaking too.

The Guardian - Film

But that's why real estate development is a risky undertaking.

The New York Times

Farming was — and still is — a risky undertaking.

The New York Times

"They could be successful, but it's a risky undertaking.

The New York Times - Science

Creating a child protagonist is always a risky undertaking.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We need to establish a new competency before we get into trouble," explains Mr Chou.In 2006 HTC started to develop its own brand, a far riskier undertaking than it sounds.

The Economist

The thing is, coming out against a presidential candidate is a far riskier undertaking for a CEO than championing the causes of LGBT rights or women's equality, already popular with tech company employees and customers.

Huffington Post

Involvement in international L.N.G. ventures would be less risky than undertaking new projects in Qatar and creating a gas glut that would depress prices.

The New York Times

Many members of the Bush administration, from the deputy defense secretary, Paul D. Wolfowitz, to Condoleezza Rice, the national security adviser, reject the word empire but do not hide their conviction that the United States must strive to bring its values to places like the Middle East, however bold or risky the undertaking.

The New York Times

Instead, though, many students and teachers appear to be absorbing a cultural signal that real and challenging discussion of sexual misconduct is too risky to undertake — and that the risk is of a traumatic injury analogous to sexual assault itself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "risky undertaking", clearly articulate the specific risks involved. This provides context and helps the audience understand the gravity of the situation. For example, instead of saying "Investing in this startup is a risky undertaking", specify: "Investing in this startup is a risky undertaking due to the volatile market conditions and the company's limited track record."

Common error

Avoid using "risky undertaking" when the situation involves only minor inconveniences or minimal potential for loss. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and make you seem overly dramatic. Reserve it for situations where genuine danger or significant negative consequences are present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "risky undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "risky" modifies the noun "undertaking". It typically serves to describe a project, task, or venture that carries a significant probability of failure or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "risky undertaking" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe ventures or projects with a significant chance of failure or negative consequences. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, signaling its versatility and widespread acceptance. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the risks involved to provide context and avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "hazardous endeavor" or "precarious venture" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for professional and objective discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazardous endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", another word for a project or activity, while maintaining the sense of risk.

precarious venture

"Venture" suggests a business or project, and "precarious" emphasizes the instability and potential for failure.

perilous enterprise

"Enterprise" is a more formal term for a project or undertaking, and "perilous" highlights the dangers involved.

challenging gamble

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty and potential for loss, using "gamble" to convey the risk.

dubious proposition

"Proposition" refers to a plan or suggestion, and "dubious" suggests uncertainty and doubt about its success.

uncertain prospect

"Prospect" refers to the possibility of future success, and "uncertain" highlights the lack of guarantees.

chancy affair

"Affair" refers to an event or undertaking, and "chancy" emphasizes the element of luck and risk involved.

daring exploit

"Exploit" suggests a bold or adventurous undertaking, and "daring" emphasizes the courage required.

bold move

Focuses on the courage and potential impact of the undertaking, using "move" to suggest a strategic action.

difficult feat

"Feat" emphasizes the skill and effort required to accomplish the undertaking, and "difficult" highlights the challenges involved.

FAQs

How can I use "risky undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "risky undertaking" to describe a venture or activity that has a high probability of failure or negative consequences. For example: "Launching a new product during a recession is a "risky undertaking"."

What are some synonyms for "risky undertaking"?

Some alternatives to "risky undertaking" include "hazardous endeavor", "precarious venture", and "perilous enterprise". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuances you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very risky undertaking"?

While not strictly incorrect, adding "very" to "risky undertaking" can be redundant since "risky" already implies a significant level of danger. Consider using a stronger synonym of "risky" like "extremely" or "highly" if you want to emphasize the degree of risk, or rephrasing the sentence for clarity.

What makes an undertaking "risky"?

An undertaking is considered "risky" when it involves a high degree of uncertainty and potential for negative outcomes, such as financial loss, physical harm, or damage to reputation. The level of risk depends on various factors, including market conditions, the expertise of those involved, and unforeseen events.