Meaning & use
takes risks
Last updated
“takes risks” is a form of “take risks”.
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Does things that could have bad results in order to gain something.
Grammar: Used with a singular subject: He takes risks. For plural or I/you, use 'take risks'.
Patterns
- someone takes risks
- takes risks with something
- takes big risks
She takes risks with her investments and sometimes loses money.
A good entrepreneur takes risks but also plans carefully.
He takes risks in his career, like quitting a stable job to start a business.
Word forms
| base form | take risks |
|---|---|
| past tense | took risks |
| past participle | taken risks |
| -ing form | taking risks |
Common combinations
- take big risks
- He takes big risks with his money.
- take unnecessary risks
- Don't take unnecessary risks when you drive.
- take calculated risks
- The company takes calculated risks to grow.
- take risks with something
- She takes risks with her health by not sleeping.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gamble
- Stronger; it suggests risking money or something valuable on an uncertain result.
- chance it
- Informal British; means to do something risky hoping for a good result.
Opposites
Word family
- risk-taker noun
- A person who often takes risks.
- risky adjective
- Involving the possibility of bad results.
Commonly confused: takes risks or takes a risk?
takes risks vs takes a risk
Means the same but focuses on one single risk. 'Takes risks' is more general.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
With 'she' we need the third-person singular form 'takes'. Option A uses 'take' (wrong for she), C is missing 'is', and D uses 'risk' without a plural or article.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “takes risks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.