0
SuperESL Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Risk

Hi,

"Theodore Roosevelt pursued a policy of brinksmanship. He was entirely heedless of risk."

Should it be risk or risks?

I am always confused about this countable-uncountable issue.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

In this case "risk" seems better because it is (presumably) talking about the general concept rather than a specific group of risks.

— GPY

  • In this case "risk" seems better because it is (presumably) talking about the general concept rather than a specific group of risks.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
In this case "risk" seems better because it is (presumably) talking about the general concept rather than a specific group of risks.
0
0
Hi,
Theodore Roosevelt pursued a policy of brinksmanship. He was entirely heedless of the risks."
Hamid
0
0
GPYIn this case "risk" seems better because it is (presumably) talking about the general concept rather than a specific group of risks.
I agree, but if we attribute the risks to the the idea of brinkmanship, then, "the risks" seems more appropriate to me.
Hamid
0
0
hrsaneiI agree, but if we attribute the risks to the the idea of brinkmanship, then, "the risks" seems more appropriate to me. Hamid
Yes, I guess you could be right ... if it is talking about specific risks associated with that policy decision.
0
0
What if I am talking about many specific risks associated with a range of decisions all exhibiting brinksmanship? Would then I be talking about something general or specific?
0
0
Actually, sorry, I have been guilty of not reading this thread carefully enough.

The original choice was between "He was entirely heedless of risk" and "He was entirely heedless of risks". Between those options, "risk" seems the more likely choice. However, as hrsanei rightly points out, if you want to refer to a group of risks associated with a specific action it would more
0

Related Questions