risk

This week’s language tip helps with using the patterns that follow the noun risk. The noun risk is not normally followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern the/a risk of doing something:

✗ Smokers themselves have a high risk to get cancer.
✓ Smokers themselves have a high risk of getting cancer.
✗ If you eat too much you run the risk to have serious health problems.
✓ If you eat too much you run the risk of having serious health problems.

Risk can also be followed by a simple prepositional phrase:

• The risk of a major nuclear accident must be taken seriously.
• The President runs the risk of assassination with every public appearance.

In certain circumstances, risk can be followed by an infinitive:

• You may have to be self supporting for quite a while, which is a big risk to take.
• Hoping that everything will go right is quite a risk to take with your oral health.

Source: Macmillan Language Tips