risks
risks — noun
- riskssingular
- risksesplural
1. how likely it is that a harmful event or an unpleasant experience will occur
how likely it is that a harmful event or an unpleasant experience will occur
Ryo knew there was a risk of heavy rain, but he went hiking anyway.
risk + of + noun
The factory installed new alarms to lower the risk of fire.
Doctors warned that this medicine carries a small risk of side effects.
Building a house on that slope involves a high risk of landslides.
There is a risk that the disease will spread to nearby villages.
- danger
more immediate and tangible than risk
- chance
neutral word; 'risk' specifies that the outcome is negative
- likelihood
more technical, less about personal fear; used in statistics
- safety
freedom from risk or danger
文法句型
risk + of + noun/gerund
risk + that-clause
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'of' + noun or gerund ('risk of failure', 'risk of losing money'). The uncountable form refers to the general concept rather than any specific dangerous item.
常見錯誤
2. a particular event, condition, or factor that could cause harm or trouble
a particular event, condition, or factor that could cause harm or trouble
Flooding is one of the main risks for towns built near large rivers.
Before signing, the lawyer explained all the possible risks of the contract.
explain/weigh the risks
For the Watanabe family, the biggest risk of moving abroad was leaving their elderly parents.
Asher weighed the risks of starting a new business against the potential rewards.
Poor internet security is a serious risk to any company that stores customer data.
- benefit
a positive outcome that offsets a risk
文法句型
risk + of + noun
risks + to + noun
用法筆記
Countable and often used in the plural ('the risks of smoking'). This sense lists specific dangers, unlike sense 1 which describes the general likelihood.
常見錯誤
3. placed in a situation where harm, loss, or injury is likely to happen
placed in a situation where harm, loss, or injury is likely to happen
Children who play near busy roads are at risk of being hit by a car.
at risk of + gerund
Without treatment, the infection could put other patients in the ward at risk.
put someone at risk
The old bridge is at risk of collapsing after the earthquake damaged its supports.
Many wild animals are at risk because their forest homes are being destroyed.
- in danger
more urgent and immediate than 'at risk'
- vulnerable
describes a lasting condition of being open to harm
- exposed
emphasises lack of protection
- safe
not exposed to danger
文法句型
at risk
at risk of + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Fixed prepositional phrase. Always 'at risk', never 'in risk'. Can be followed by 'of' + noun or gerund ('at risk of flooding', 'at risk of losing your job').
常見錯誤
4. a formal notice that someone who chooses to proceed will be fully responsible fo
a formal notice that someone who chooses to proceed will be fully responsible for any harm or loss that results
A faded sign on the gate read: 'Enter at your own risk.'
Swimming at this beach is at your own risk since no lifeguards patrol the area.
do something at your own risk
Downloading files from the website is done at your own risk, the warning stated.
Skiing beyond the marked trails is done at your own risk, the mountain guide explained.
- on your own head
British idiom, less common
- at your own peril
stronger, suggests serious danger
文法句型
do something at your own risk
用法筆記
Found on warning signs, disclaimers, and legal notices. It means the person offering the activity accepts no liability. More formal than the other noun senses.
5. the act of choosing to do something even though it may lead to a bad result
the act of choosing to do something even though it may lead to a bad result
Bao took a risk when he quit his stable job to start a small bakery.
take a risk
The film director took a risk by casting an unknown teenager in the lead role.
Sometimes you have to take calculated risks in order to grow your career.
Maja knew that lending money to a friend was a risk, but she agreed anyway.
- gamble
suggests the outcome depends mostly on luck
- leap of faith
idiom; emphasises trust rather than careful calculation
- safe choice
an option with little or no risk
文法句型
take a risk
run a risk
take risks
用法筆記
Usually part of the collocation 'take a risk' or 'take risks'. 'Run a risk' is also possible but less common. 'Risk' here is countable — 'take a risk', not 'take risk'.
常見錯誤
risks — verb
- riskspresent simple I / you / we / they
- riskses3rd person singular
- risksing-ing form
- risksedpast simple
1. to choose to act even though the action could lead to an unpleasant result
to choose to act even though the action could lead to an unpleasant result
Mira risked missing her flight by staying too long at the farewell party.
risk + gerund (missing)
The soldier risked his life to pull a child out of a burning building.
If we do not hire more staff soon, we risk losing our best workers.
Andrés risked getting caught when he climbed the fence to retrieve the lost ball.
By investing all her savings in a single start-up, Emi risked losing everything she had.
- avoid
to stay away from a possible danger
文法句型
risk + gerund
risk + noun phrase
用法筆記
The object is usually a gerund (risked losing, risked missing) or a noun referring to oneself or one's resources. Unlike 'endanger', the focus is on the actor's deliberate choice.
常見錯誤
2. to put something that matters to you into a situation where it could be damaged,
to put something that matters to you into a situation where it could be damaged, lost, or ruined
Smoking heavily for many years can seriously risk your long-term health.
The captain refused to risk the safety of his crew by sailing into the storm.
risk the safety of
Aylin risked her career when she openly criticised the company's unethical policies.
Emre would not risk his family's future on such an uncertain business proposal.
- endanger
more formal and direct; 'risk' can also imply a voluntary choice
- jeopardise
formal; suggests putting a plan or outcome in danger
- hazard
more literary; to expose to danger
- protect
to keep something safe from harm
文法句型
risk + noun phrase (something of value)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: here the object is something valuable (health, safety, career, reputation) that is put in danger. The sense carries a stronger implication of carelessness or sacrifice.