run the risk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "run the risk of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to imply taking on a potentially negative situation which you are aware might occur. Example sentence: "Despite the potential dangers, I'm willing to run the risk of going on a solo hike in the forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turkish soldiers run the risk of getting bogged down, much as the Israelis did in Lebanon.

The Economist

"You run the risk of stifling innovation," warns PhRMA's Mr Castellani.

The Economist

However, as in any cross-border merger they run the risk of over-complexity and integration difficulties.

The Economist

As companies more fiercely protect their wares, contemporary digital artefacts run the risk of never being archived.

The Economist

If they are not, they run the risk of squandering the credibility their predecessors earned at such a high price.

The Economist

On the other hand, they run the risk of failing to grow as solidly as their chosen competitors.

The Economist

If the opposition parties continue to stay away from parliament, they run the risk of a backlash.

The Economist

That does not mean that the pragmatic Taiwanese are about to declare independence and run the risk of a war.

The Economist

And inconsistent application of laws on pension taxation means that residents run the risk of double taxation if they move.

The Economist

Businessmen foolhardy enough to bring their own electronic devices run the risk of electronic bugging by hotel staff.

The Economist

In seeking to isolate America, France would run the risk of damaging its friends and isolating itself.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "run the risk of", ensure that the potential negative outcome is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Investing in this venture runs the risk of losing all capital" provides a direct and understandable warning.

Common error

While "run the risk of" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "face the possibility of" or "be exposed to the danger of" to enhance readability and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run the risk of" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a potential negative consequence or undesirable outcome resulting from a specific action or situation. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to signal a potential hazard or vulnerability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "run the risk of" is a versatile phrase used to highlight potential negative consequences resulting from certain actions or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and formal writing. While it's suitable for general use, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms such as "face the possibility of" to maintain writing variety. Remember to clearly state the potential negative outcome when using the phrase to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. It is important to note the "take the risk of" conveys a different semantic nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face the possibility of

Emphasizes the chance of something negative happening, suggesting a less certain outcome than "run the risk of".

be exposed to the danger of

Highlights the vulnerability and potential harm involved, focusing on the state of being unprotected.

incur the hazard of

Implies a more formal and deliberate acceptance of danger, often used in technical or legal contexts.

open oneself up to the chance of

Suggests a voluntary action that creates an opportunity for something negative to occur.

subject oneself to the possibility of

Indicates a deliberate act of placing oneself in a situation where something undesirable might happen.

leave oneself vulnerable to

Focuses on the lack of protection and the potential for harm due to weakness or exposure.

invite the potential for

Suggests that the action taken makes something negative more likely to happen.

court the danger of

Implies a reckless or foolish attraction to potential harm, suggesting a disregard for safety.

gamble with the likelihood of

Conveys a sense of uncertainty and chance, suggesting that the outcome is not entirely predictable.

brave the odds of

Highlights the courage or audacity involved in facing a dangerous situation, often against unfavorable probabilities.

FAQs

How can I use "run the risk of" in a sentence?

Use "run the risk of" to indicate that a particular action might lead to an undesirable outcome. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations runs the risk of causing serious accidents."

What can I say instead of "run the risk of"?

You can use alternatives like "face the possibility of", "be exposed to the danger of", or "incur the hazard of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "run the risk" or "take the risk"?

"Run the risk" implies that you may unintentionally encounter a negative outcome because of your actions. "Take the risk" suggests a more deliberate acceptance of potential danger for a possible reward.

What's the difference between "run the risk of" and "increase the risk of"?

"Run the risk of" means performing an action that may lead to a certain negative consequence, while "increase the risk of" signifies that something makes a negative outcome more likely, regardless of whether a specific action is performed. For example: "Smoking increases the risk of cancer" versus "By not wearing a helmet, you run the risk of head injury".