uncalculated risk

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncalculated risk" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to risks that have not been thoroughly analyzed or assessed. For example, "The investor took an uncalculated risk by investing in a startup with no track record."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Marriage was an uncalculated risk," he recalled telling his wife.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I personally think teams are starting to get desperate now and therefore taking uncalculated risks," Froome told reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

"Teams are starting to get desperate and are taking uncalculated risks," he said, before warning that another dangerous descent, off Alpe D'Huez, awaits the riders tomorrow.

Independent

In searing 40C heat a fuming Froome says his rivals are becoming "desperate" and are taking "uncalculated risks" after he comes close to crashing into a reckless Contador on the final pell-mell descent.

The Guardian - Sport

Beginning with choosing the untested and unprepared Sarah Palin for Vice President, McCain showed he liked to throw Hail Mary's and America wasn't interested in a president who would take those kinds of uncalculated risks with our country.

Huffington Post

Yet the whole lottery adventure was one enormous, uncalculated, unspecified risk.

The Guardian - Arts

Above all, that giving the arts a chance to be excellent – and we are talking of chance, of risk, of the variable, the impulsive, the uncertain, the irrational, the uncalculated, the shocking – depends on allowing the arts to talk of what they do, argue for what they do, justify what they do and explain what they do in their own terms.

The Guardian

There is a catch to the competition that goes uncalculated.

The New York Times - Sports

"Nothing about her is uncalculated," Mr. Rush said.

The New York Times

(The nickname reflects her uncalculated, effervescent dancing).

The New York Times - Arts

Nothing in this totally controlled installation is uncalculated.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncalculated risk", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of assessment or planning involved. Provide details on why the risk was not calculated and what potential consequences might arise.

Common error

Avoid using "uncalculated risk" when you actually mean a "calculated "risk"" that simply resulted in a negative outcome. An "uncalculated risk" implies a lack of prior assessment, while a "calculated risk" involves a deliberate evaluation of potential outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncalculated risk" functions as a noun phrase where "uncalculated" modifies the noun "risk". According to Ludwig, this describes a risk that hasn't been carefully considered or assessed, emphasizing the lack of forethought. The use of "uncalculated" serves to highlight the uncertainty and potential dangers associated with such endeavors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Arts

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncalculated risk" describes a situation where a risk is taken without proper assessment or planning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While relatively rare, its usage spans across various contexts including News & Media, Arts and Science, emphasizing the lack of forethought and potential dangers associated with such ventures. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context highlights the absence of prior evaluation and clearly articulates the potential consequences. Remember, while taking risks can be rewarding, stepping into an "uncalculated risk" means stepping into the unknown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unassessed threat

Highlights that the risk has not been properly evaluated.

Undetermined gamble

Similar to uncalculated, implying a risk where the probabilities and potential outcomes are not well-defined.

Blind gamble

Emphasizes the lack of foresight and potential for loss.

Imprudent venture

Indicates a lack of wisdom or good judgment in taking the risk.

Reckless undertaking

Highlights the potential danger and lack of caution.

Unquantified exposure

Focuses on the unknown extent of potential negative consequences.

Unforeseen hazard

Focuses on the unpredictable nature of the risk.

Inadvertent peril

Suggests the risk was unintentional or not fully realized.

Haphazard chance

Implies randomness and lack of control in the risk.

Random shot

This emphasizes the chance aspect of doing something without aiming for something specific.

FAQs

How to use "uncalculated risk" in a sentence?

You can use "uncalculated risk" to describe a situation where someone takes a chance without properly assessing the potential dangers or outcomes. For example, "Investing in that new venture was an "uncalculated risk" that could either yield great rewards or result in significant losses."

What are some alternatives to "uncalculated risk"?

Some alternatives to "uncalculated risk" include "blind gamble", "reckless undertaking", or "unassessed threat". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "uncalculated risk" and "calculated risk"?

An "uncalculated risk" implies that no prior assessment was made before taking the risk. A "calculated "risk"" means that the potential outcomes were evaluated before proceeding, even if the outcome is ultimately negative.

When is it appropriate to take an "uncalculated risk"?

Taking an "uncalculated risk" is generally not advisable, as it lacks foresight and planning. However, it may be justifiable in situations where immediate action is required and there isn't time for proper assessment, or when the potential reward greatly outweighs the possible negative consequences, regardless of the uncertainty.