stake

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "stake" to mean both a physical stake or a personal interest or involvement in an activity or outcome. For example, "John had a lot at stake in the outcome of the election, so he campaigned aggressively to get out the vote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a lot at stake.

The New York Times - Food

Much is at stake.

The New York Times

What's at stake is where things go from there.

The Economist

The gap, though, was not large: Labour have 83 target seats at stake with Ukip as a complicating factor.

The Guardian

Speaking on a campaign visit in the SNP target seat of Edinburgh South earlier on Tuesday, Murphy said lots of voters were only beginning to think about the issues at stake: "The election is only 24 hours old; there are weeks to go," he said.

The Guardian

Leonard also talks about Britain being a diminished presence internationally – "Berlin would be the first port of call for any US president – we would be marginal" – before we chew over one of the most practical questions at stake.

The Guardian

That sounds pretty fantastic, unless you can recall the start of his career as a chief exec of publicly listed company in 2011, when that same stake was worth £6bn.

The Guardian - Business

It should be a reminder to all of what is at stake if the Agreement is lost.

The Guardian

There is a lot at stake and a lot of potential here, but the coalition seems to prefer shale gas, even though it is problematic, than this cheap and readily available form of fuel".

The Guardian

Everyone involved in shaping the debate, and making the policy decisions that matter, has a stake in prices going up.

The Guardian - Opinion

The outcome of the war is suddenly at stake, and it falls to our unlikely heroes to stand up and be counted.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stake" to mean something at risk, consider the emotional impact on your audience, and adjust tone accordingly. A high "stake" can imply significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid confusing the noun "stake" (interest or share) with the verb "to stake" (to risk or wager). Using the wrong form can lead to ambiguity or grammatical errors. Example: "He has a large stake in the company" vs. "He is willing to stake his reputation on the outcome."

Linguistic Context

The word "stake" serves as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes an interest, share, or something at risk. As a verb, it means to wager or risk something, or to support something with stakes, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stake" is a versatile term serving as both a noun and a verb, denoting interest, risk, or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. It appears most frequently in news and media, business, and scientific articles. When using "stake", be mindful of its different meanings to ensure clarity, and adapt your tone to the context and audience. Common errors include confusing the noun and verb forms. Overall, "stake" is an essential word to effectively communicate involvement and potential consequences in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interest

Focuses on the personal or financial benefit derived from involvement, rather than the potential loss.

investment

Emphasizes the resources committed to an endeavor, whether financial or otherwise.

share

Highlights the portion or percentage of ownership or involvement in something.

risk

Directly addresses the possibility of loss or negative consequences.

venture

Suggests a willingness to take a chance or embark on a potentially uncertain undertaking.

gamble

Implies a situation with uncertain outcomes, where success depends on chance.

bet

Focuses on the act of wagering something of value on an uncertain outcome.

commitment

Highlights the dedication and resources allocated to a specific cause or goal.

liability

Emphasizes the potential for negative repercussions or obligations.

responsibility

Suggests a duty or obligation to ensure a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "stake" in a sentence?

You can use "stake" to refer to an interest or share in something, as in "He owns a significant "stake" in the business". It can also refer to something at risk, such as "The future of the project is at "stake"".

What's the difference between "stake" and "interest"?

"Stake" often implies a more significant or critical involvement, including potential risk or loss. "Interest" typically refers to a benefit or advantage. Therefore, "stake" often implies a stronger personal and/or financial commitment than "interest".

What can I say instead of "at stake"?

You can use alternatives such as "at risk", "in jeopardy", or "in danger", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. "At risk" focuses more on the probability of something bad happening.

Is it correct to say "drive a stake through the heart of" something?

Yes, the expression "drive a stake through the heart of" is an idiom that means to decisively end or destroy something, often a plan or proposal. For example, "The new evidence drove a "stake" through the heart of their argument".