wager

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wager' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a gamble or a risk where something of value is staked on an uncertain outcome. Example sentence: She made a wager that she would be able to run a mile in under five minutes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had a wager with another critic that the film would get an 18 rating.

The Guardian - Film

Clearly, not all men are like cliches from Nuts magazine and want women in skintight clothes, but I would wager that most men prefer it when women wear clothes that fit them as opposed to shapeless sacks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Foolishly, we were soon on the losing end of a wager.

The Guardian - Travel

But, like any pragmatic optimist with a betting account, he would rather wager on the future than rue the past.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.04pm Another04 appearancepearance from Ezra Koenig (and not his last, I'd wager) – he's at 74 with Major Lazer rather than his usual combo Vampire Weekend.

The Guardian

Even if foreign capital is not a big part of the wager, the odds are that India will embrace modern retailing.

The Economist

Foreign fillip Among the missing Caveat vendor Going east Niggles and nerves A wager on Pascal Relax!

The Economist

However, the wager is commonly used in modern-day logic and statistics courses as a famous example of faulty reasoning chiefly for its use of equal probabilities for each possibility, though there are several other problems with it including the fact that it could be used as proof for any god.

The Economist

With medical spending expected to rise steeply because of demographic factors as well as technological progress, the big question is how to keep health-care contributions from becoming a prohibitive tax on labour.The third wager is that the Länder will do their bit to improve the way Germany is run.

The Economist

Ultimately, debt is a way that people bet on their own futures, placing a wager on their own ability, cleverness, diligence and luck.

The Economist

He seems willing to wager that the breadth of his voter alliance trumps the intensity of a conservative movement that though united as rarely before draws its strength from voter blocks in relative or absolute decline, whether white voters, rural Americans or social conservatives.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wager" when you want to emphasize a calculated risk or bet based on some degree of assessment, rather than a blind guess.

Common error

Avoid using "wager" when there's no real risk or stake involved; a simple guess doesn't qualify. Reserve "wager" for situations where something of value is genuinely at stake.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wager" is as both a verb, indicating the act of betting, and a noun, referring to the bet itself. Ludwig AI provides examples of both usages, confirming its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wager" is a versatile term used to describe the act of betting or the bet itself. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in news, business, and more informal contexts. When using "wager", consider if the scenario involves genuine risk rather than a mere guess. Alternatives like "place a bet" or "take a chance" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to ensure consistency in your writing and choose "wager" when you want to emphasize a calculated risk. The phrase's robust presence in reputable publications like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its reliability and authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Place a bet

Focuses on the action of betting, emphasizing the placement of the bet.

Make a bet

Similar to placing a bet, but with a slightly broader implication of initiating the bet.

Take a chance

Emphasizes the element of risk and uncertainty involved.

Risk money

Directly refers to the financial risk involved in a bet.

Lay odds

Highlights the act of offering odds in a betting scenario.

Stake money

Implies putting money at risk with the expectation of a return.

Gamble funds

Focuses on the act of gambling using available funds.

Speculate on

Implies a higher degree of risk and uncertainty, often in financial contexts.

Hazard a guess

Involves making a guess with a degree of uncertainty.

Put up as collateral

Emphasizes the act of using something valuable as security for a bet.

FAQs

How can I use "wager" in a sentence?

You can use "wager" to describe placing a bet or risking something on an uncertain outcome. For example, "I would "wager" that the team will win."

What's the difference between "wager" and "bet"?

"Wager" and "bet" are often interchangeable, but "wager" can sometimes imply a more formal or considered assessment of the risk involved. "Bet" is a more general term.

What are some alternatives to using the word "wager"?

Alternatives include "place a bet", "take a chance", or "lay odds", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I would wager a guess"?

While grammatically correct, "I would wager a guess" can sound redundant. It's often better to simply say "I would guess" or "I would wager" depending on if you want to emphasize risk or uncertainty.