unforeseen risks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen risks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential dangers or uncertainties that were not anticipated in a particular situation or project. Example: "The project faced several unforeseen risks that impacted its timeline and budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In most cases the risks paid off, but other times unforeseen risks cost astronauts their lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Derivatives are designed to transfer money in creative ways that allow companies to hedge unforeseen risks.

The New York Times

The commission's great challenge is to be "proactive" in identifying previously unforeseen risks, primarily natural disasters.

The New York Times - Science

And central bankers, cautious by nature and profession, also harbor wariness for the unforeseen risks of unprecedented actions.

The New York Times

Even before the gas runs out, the US shale gas revolution and Australia's growing gas exports could bring down prices, and technological innovations could post further unforeseen risks.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Successor programme to replace the four Vanguard nuclear armed submarines currently carrying Trident missiles is now priced at £31bn, with a further £10bn set aside for unforeseen risks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Unforeseen risk is everywhere," one ad begins.

The New York Times

Mr Marshall argues that China's banks should be carrying capital of at least 15-20%, as banks in Indonesia do, to guard against unforeseen risk.

The Economist

In a packed bed of biomass, spontaneous ignition might occur due to oxidation of volatiles and causes a serious and unforeseen risk.

Combustion and Flame

Unfortunately for Facebook, being mad at Facebook is something that brings people together — perhaps another unforeseen risk of building the world's biggest social network.

TechCrunch

Pensioners and home owners have seen their savings decimated by unforeseen financial risks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential projects or ventures, always consider the "unforeseen risks". Conduct thorough risk assessments and scenario planning to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies.

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on predictable risks. Ensure your risk management strategy includes provisions for low-probability, high-impact events (black swan events) that represent significant "unforeseen risks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen risks" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unforeseen" modifies the noun "risks". It describes potential negative outcomes that were not anticipated or predicted. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unforeseen risks" is a phrase used to describe potential dangers or negative outcomes that were not anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in diverse fields, including news, science, and business. The phrase is of neutral register. While the specific nature of "unforeseen risks" cannot be predicted, proactive planning and risk mitigation strategies can help minimize their impact. Consider using alternatives such as "unanticipated hazards" or "unexpected perils" to add nuance to your writing. Remember to account for both known and "unforeseen risks" when making strategic decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen hazards

Synonymous replacement of "risks" with "hazards".

unanticipated hazards

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation in the potential dangers.

unanticipated threats

Synonymous to "unimagined threats" with minimal semantic difference.

unexpected perils

Highlights the suddenness and potential severity of the dangers.

unpredicted dangers

Focuses on the inability to predict the potential harms.

uncalculated dangers

Highlights the lack of calculation or assessment of the dangers.

unanticipated consequences

Shifts focus from risks to the results or outcomes of actions.

unimagined threats

Emphasizes the lack of imagination or foresight regarding the threats.

hidden dangers

Focuses on the concealed or not easily visible nature of the dangers.

latent risks

Highlights the potential for risks to emerge or become active in the future.

FAQs

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

You can use "unforeseen risks" to describe potential dangers or negative outcomes that were not anticipated. For example: "The project encountered several "unforeseen risks" which impacted its timeline."

What is a good alternative to "unforeseen risks"?

Alternatives include "unanticipated hazards", "unexpected perils", or "unpredicted dangers" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do "unforeseen risks" differ from known risks?

"Unforeseen risks" are, by definition, not known or anticipated. They are potential dangers that emerge unexpectedly, while known risks are those that have been identified and assessed beforehand.

What is the importance of planning for "unforeseen risks"?

Planning for "unforeseen risks" involves developing flexible strategies that can adapt to unexpected challenges. While you can't predict the specific nature of these risks, you can build resilience into your plans to mitigate their impact. Ignoring them can lead to serious consequences.