Collocation for IELTS Word - Risk

Learning collocations for IELTS aspirants is a necessary way to maximize their test scores, since they find day-to-day use in the conversations between native English speakers. IELTS examiners look for a candidate’s proficiency in English and learning collocations will definitely give them the upper hand in securing a reputable score. A collocation can be defined as a combination of a word with one or more words that fit suitably and sound right to regular english speakers or native speakers.

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While marking answers, examiners look for good use of collocations because more often than not they bear evidence of a strong vocabulary. Unusual combinations, however, can sound very strange and therefore are not proper collocations. For example, a ‘fast train’ is an acceptable collocation, however, a ‘quick train’ sounds very unnatural to native speakers. Similarly, ‘fast food’ is a use of correct collocation, while ‘quick food’ is not a correct use. Therefore, it is very essential to spot correct and incorrect uses of collocations for betterment of someone’s understanding of the English language. IELTS speaking requires the candidate’s exposure and proficiency regarding collocations for this very reason.

One’s knowledge of English is widened because of collocations and they can have more alternating ways to express themselves. Also, it is easier to remember if the words are grouped together rather than when they are expressed individually. To learn collocations properly, one must be aware of them and try to recognize them when they see or hear them. Collocations must be treated like single blocks of language so that it is easier to remember them. It is very important that as an aspirant keep these points in mind to make the best out of their knowledge.

Collocations for IELTS- Risk

It is already mentioned that a collocation is a combination of two or more words so that they make perfect sense to regular English speakers. For example, it can be said ‘great fun’ but not ‘big fun’ because the later sounds wrong or incorrect to an English speaker. Collocations can be expressed and divided into parts of speech like adverb+adjective, adjective+noun, noun+noun and even more. We can study the word ‘Risk’ and the possible combinations of it by joining it to different words. The various classifications and subclassifications are noted below.

The word ‘Risk’ can be expressed as a ‘Noun’ or as a ‘Verb’. The examples and meanings of each of the sub-types are discussed.

‘Risk’ as a Noun

The word ‘Risk’ can be expressed as a ‘Noun’ by combining it with different parts of speech like Adjectives, Quants, Verbs etc. They are given below.

1. ‘Risk’ with an Adjective

1. Meaning- Big, Considerable, major, serious, significant, terrible, substantial grave, high, grand

Sentence- High-risk circumstances pose a major threat to civilization.

2. Meaning- Possible, Likely, Potential, Budding, Probable, Latent, Dormant, Inherent, Developing

Sentence- Standards of public hygiene have reduced with the inherent risks of diseases.

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100. Meaning- Low, Light, Small, Shallow, Short, Moderate, Modest, Cheap, Stubby, Stunted

Sentence- This is a low risk gamble for me, so I am all in.

500. Meaning- Genuine, Authentic, Original, Attested, True, Unadulterated, Legitimate, Undisputed, Real

Sentence- This is a real risk we are taking to save our friends.

5. Meaning- Stupid, Silly, Foolish, half-witted, Unacceptable, Unnecessary, Irresponsible, Indsicreet

Sentence- I don’t think we should take any unnecessary risks in order to pass the exam.

6. Meaning- Calculated, Deliberate, Premeditated, Preconceived, Intentional, Purposeful, Purposive

Sentence- The smart man knows how to take calculated risks but not gamble.

7. Meaning- Commercial, Credit, Financial, Fire, health, Insurance, Safety, Security, Environmental

Sentence- It can be said that he is a good insurance risk.

2. ‘Risk’ with a Quant

1. Meaning- Degree, Level, Stage, Point, Standard, Grade, Gradation, Mark, Amount, Extent

Sentence- There is a degree of risk to the task that is being done.

2. Meaning- Element, Segment, Portion, Factor, feature, part, Constituent, Component

Sentence- The cardiac operation sure carries some element of risk.

3. Verb+Risk

1. Meaning- Face, Run, Take

Sentence- The divers are prepared to take any risks that come their way while discovering the emerald.

2. Meaning- Entail, Pose, Necessitate, Incur, Involve, Call for

Sentence- Pollutants in the factory pose a real risk to the factory workers inhaling them.

100. Meaning- Minimize, Reduce, Avoid, Decrease, Cut down, lessen, Shrink, Prune, Diminish

Sentence- The receptionist is taking all the risks possible to minimize the chaos in the lobby.

500. Meaning- Measure, Assess, Estimate, Evaluate, Check out, Appraise, Gauge, Rate

Sentence- The directors will have to assess our credit risk.

5. Meaning- Outweigh, exceed

Sentence- The reward outweighs all the risks associated in achieving it,

4. Risk+Noun

1. Meaning- Group

Sentence- Miners are a high risk group for certain types of lung cancer.

2. Meaning- Factor

Sentence- Taking drugs is a risk factor for various diseases.

100. Meaning- Reduction

Sentence- Reading the documents before signing helps in risk reduction.

500. Meaning- Management

Sentence- Risk management is important for achieving prosperity.

5. ‘Risk’ and a Preposition

1. Meaning- at

Sentence- It’s not ideal to put someone’s life at risk over something as meagre as this.

2. Meaning- at-from, of

Sentence- The hostages are at serious risk of being killed at the zone.

100. Meaning- at-the, of

Sentence- At the risk of sounding rude, should you not check your teeth before going out?

500. Meaning- at-to

Sentence- He saved his friend at significant risk to himself.

5. Meaning- by

Sentence- She knew she was taking a big risk by signing the lease.

6. Meaning- from

Sentence- There is a lot of risk from inhaling contaminated air.

7. Meaning- in

Sentence- He was taking a big risk in sending her to the asylum.

8. Meaning- to

Sentence- Eating so much fast food is a risk to health.

6. ‘Risk’ in a Phrasea. 

1. Meaning- at your own risk

Sentence- The bridge is not safe, so cross it at your own risk.

2. Meaning- an increase/a reduction in risk, risks and benefits/rewards

Sentence- There are many risks and benefits to riding a motorcycle.

‘Risk’ as a Verb

The word ‘Risk’ can be combined with various parts of speech and used as a verb in various sentences. The sub-divisions and the examples are noted below.

1. Verb+Risk

1. Meaning- dare not, could not/cannot, not want to, would not

Sentence- I simply can’t risk being seen at a mall during office hours.

2. Meaning- be prepared to, be willing to

Sentence- She was prepared to risk everything in her life to rise to the top.

100. Meaning- decide to

Sentence- They decided to risk all their earnings in order to win the competition.

2. ‘Risk’ as a Prepositiona. 

1. Meaning- for

Sentence- I am simply not risking my reputation to make sure they are included.

2. Meaning- on

Sentence- I will never risk my money on a risk like this one.

3. ‘Risk’ with a Phrase

1. Meaning- risk it

Sentence- They all knew they would be in trouble if someone found it, but they risked it anyway.

2. Meaning- risk life and limb

Sentence- The brave tourist out there is risking his life and limb to get a proper video.

100. Meaning- risk losing

Sentence- There are families who sign untrusted documents and thus risk losing their homes.