substantial risk

USAGE SUMMARY

'substantial risk' is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that poses a greater than average risk. For example, "The doctor warned that there was a substantial risk of complications from the surgery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Substantial risk goes essentially undefined.

The New York Times

Are they not taking a substantial risk?

The Guardian - Sport

There is a substantial risk of a recession in 2008.

The New York Times

Of course, investment in the industry involves substantial risk.

The New York Times

Combining those essential functions unavoidably entails risk, sometimes substantial risk.

The New York Times

But the deal still carries substantial risk for taxpayers.

The New York Times

Mr. Khan's lawyers claim that "there is a substantial risk that the torture evidence will disappear".

The New York Times

Others saw such an enormous benefit that they were willing to accept substantial risk.

The New York Times

If you have confidence that the country will move forward, you may take a substantial risk".

The New York Times - Sports

But in women, estrogen drops off sharply after menopause, leading to substantial risk of osteoporosis.

The New York Times - Health

In any case, so long as a hiker is careful, there is no substantial risk.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "substantial risk" with quantifiable data whenever possible to strengthen your argument, such as "a substantial risk of 30% failure rate".

Common error

Avoid using "substantial risk" in situations where the risk is minimal or speculative, as this can create unnecessary alarm or undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial risk" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "risk". As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a noteworthy or significant possibility of something undesirable occurring. The examples show it describing a variety of risks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial risk" is a frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a significant possibility of harm or negative consequences. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various domains, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business contexts. While "substantial risk" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, you should be mindful of avoiding overuse in alarmist contexts. Alternatives such as "significant hazard" or "considerable danger" can provide variety while maintaining a similar meaning. By understanding its usage patterns and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively employ "substantial risk" to communicate potential dangers with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant hazard

Emphasizes the potential for harm or danger, similar to "substantial risk".

considerable danger

Highlights the magnitude of the danger involved. Slightly more focused on the potential negative outcome.

notable threat

Focuses on the threatening aspect, suggesting a perceived danger that cannot be ignored.

serious peril

Implies an immediate and grave danger, potentially more intense than "substantial risk".

major liability

Highlights the potential for legal or financial responsibility, adding a specific consequence to the risk.

appreciable chance of failure

Shifts focus to the probability of a negative outcome, emphasizing potential lack of success.

significant probability

Quantifies the risk, suggesting a measurable likelihood of an event occurring.

marked exposure

Focuses on the vulnerability to something harmful, highlighting the state of being unprotected.

high stakes

Emphasizes the potential consequences, both positive and negative, tied to a specific action or decision.

grave uncertainty

Highlights the lack of predictability and the potential for unfavorable outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial risk" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial risk" to describe situations where there is a significant possibility of a negative outcome. For instance, "There is a "substantial risk" of financial loss if the project fails."

What are some synonyms for "substantial risk"?

Alternatives to "substantial risk" include "significant hazard", "considerable danger", or "serious peril". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial risk" or "significant risk"?

Both "substantial risk" and "significant risk" are acceptable and often interchangeable. "Substantial" may imply a slightly greater magnitude of risk than "significant", but the difference is subtle and context-dependent.

Can "substantial risk" be used in both formal and informal writing?

"Substantial risk" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. While it's more common in formal contexts such as academic papers or news articles, it's also suitable for everyday conversations when discussing potential dangers or uncertainties.