uncalculated risks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncalculated risks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe risks that have not been assessed or measured before taking action. Example: "Investing in a startup often involves uncalculated risks that could lead to significant losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Books

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

But there was nothing uncalculated about the author's effects.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "uncalculated risks", provide context about why the risks were not calculated. This adds depth and clarity to your analysis.

Common error

Don't automatically assume that "uncalculated risks" are negative. Sometimes, taking such risks can lead to innovation or unexpected success. Consider the context carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncalculated risks" functions as a noun phrase, where "uncalculated" modifies the noun "risks". It describes risks that haven't been properly assessed or measured, often carrying a negative connotation as highlighted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncalculated risks" is a noun phrase describing dangers that have not been properly assessed or quantified. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, though its frequency is rare. As evidenced by the examples in Ludwig, the phrase commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts, often used to warn against potential dangers or to describe situations where chances are taken despite uncertainty. While the phrase generally carries a negative connotation, it's important to note that not all "uncalculated risks" are inherently bad. Sometimes, such risks can lead to innovation or unexpected success. When using this phrase, provide clear context to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unassessed dangers

Replaces "risks" with a synonym emphasizing potential harm, and "uncalculated" with "unassessed", which means not evaluated.

unforeseen hazards

Substitutes "risks" with "hazards" and "uncalculated" with "unforeseen", highlighting the unexpected nature of the dangers.

blind gambles

Replaces "risks" with "gambles" to underline the speculative aspect, and uses "blind" to convey the lack of calculation.

reckless ventures

Replaces "risks" with "ventures" to suggest an undertaking, and uses "reckless" to emphasize the disregard for potential consequences.

rash decisions

Shifts the focus from risk to the decision-making process, using "rash" to imply impulsiveness and lack of forethought.

imprudent actions

Moves away from the idea of risk and focuses on the actions taken, using "imprudent" to signify poor judgment.

ill-considered choices

Highlights the lack of careful thought in the selection process, suggesting a flawed decision.

unpredicted consequences

Shifts focus to the results of an action that couldn't be calculated.

unquantified liabilities

Focuses on potential financial or legal burdens that haven't been properly measured or assessed.

speculative uncertainties

Emphasizes the guesswork involved and the unpredictable nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "uncalculated risks" in a sentence?

You can use "uncalculated risks" to describe situations where the potential negative outcomes have not been properly assessed. For example: "Investing in that startup involved taking "uncalculated risks", but the potential rewards were high."

What are some synonyms for "uncalculated risks"?

Alternatives to "uncalculated risks" include "unassessed dangers", "unforeseen hazards", or "blind gambles", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to take "uncalculated risks"?

Not necessarily. While "uncalculated risks" often imply a lack of foresight, they can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities or breakthroughs. The outcome depends on the specific context and the factors involved.

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

"Calculated risks" involve careful assessment and planning before taking action, while "uncalculated risks" are taken without such prior evaluation. The former implies a degree of control, whereas the latter suggests impulsiveness or uncertainty.