we risk losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we risk losing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the idea that there is a chance of something being lost if certain conditions remain unchanged. For example: "If we don't take urgent action, we risk losing our competitive edge in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We risk losing talent that will enrich this country.

The Guardian

"In wanting to win everything, we risk losing everything".

The New York Times - Sports

By waiting for our enemy to strike, we risk losing a city -- or worse.

The New York Times

Once we help other states and insurgent groups wage war, we risk losing control.

The New York Times

We risk losing that flesh-and-blood investment if we go too far down this road".

The New Yorker

"We risk losing a generation of children," said Josh Isay, a spokesman for Mr. Hevesi.

The New York Times

However, if selfishness and fear prevail, we risk losing the noble idea underpinning the European project.

The Guardian - Opinion

British collections are world class, but we risk losing our leading place.

The Guardian - Arts

If we don't, we risk losing an already weakened position for good.

The Guardian - Opinion

My father and grandfathers worked here but we risk losing these jobs forever.

The Guardian - Business

If we fail to invest in women now, we risk losing more ground.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we risk losing" when you want to express a potential negative consequence that could occur if a certain course of action is followed or not followed. It is a strong and direct way to convey concern.

Common error

While "we risk losing" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "we stand to lose" or "we jeopardize" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we risk losing" functions as a declarative statement expressing a potential negative consequence. It combines a subject ("we"), a verb ("risk"), and a gerund phrase ("losing"), indicating a possibility of loss if certain conditions are not met. This is consistent with Ludwig AI’s assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we risk losing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to signal a potential negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves as a cautionary statement, aiming to prompt action or awareness about the consequences of certain situations. While versatile, its usage is most prominent in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Consider more formal alternatives like "we stand to lose" in more professional settings. Be mindful that "we risk losing" suggests a potential loss that can still be avoided, distinguishing it from phrases that indicate an ongoing or certain loss.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we stand to lose

Replaces "risk" with "stand to", emphasizing the potential for loss.

we are in danger of losing

Replaces "risk" with "are in danger of", highlighting the potential threat.

we could potentially lose

Adds "potentially" to soften the statement, indicating a possibility rather than a certainty.

we may forfeit

Replaces "losing" with "forfeit", suggesting the loss is due to a rule or consequence.

we might sacrifice

Replaces "losing" with "sacrifice", indicating the loss is intentional, but undesirable.

we jeopardize

Uses a single verb to express the risk of loss.

we endanger

Similar to jeopardize, but focuses more on the act of putting something in danger.

we are liable to lose

Expresses likelihood of loss, but has a slightly different tone.

it's possible we'll lose

Changes the structure to emphasize possibility.

we face the potential loss of

Adds more formality and emphasizes the potential for loss.

FAQs

How can I use "we risk losing" in a sentence?

You can use "we risk losing" to indicate the potential negative outcome of a situation. For example, "If we don't invest in renewable energy, "we risk losing" our chance to combat climate change effectively".

What are some alternatives to "we risk losing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we stand to lose", "we are in danger of losing", or "we could potentially lose", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we risk to lose" instead of "we risk losing"?

No, the correct grammatical structure is "we risk losing". The verb "risk" is followed by a gerund (a verb ending in -ing functioning as a noun), not an infinitive (to + verb).

What is the difference between "we risk losing" and "we are losing"?

"We risk losing" implies a potential or future loss that can still be avoided, while "we are losing" indicates a loss that is already happening or is certain to occur.