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Grammar fix

risk factor

something that increases danger

A risk factor is something that makes it more likely for a problem, illness, or danger to happen.

collocationB2occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Lack of exercise is a major risk factor for heart disease.health
  • In my opinion, stress is a significant risk factor for many health problems, so people should try to manage it better.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: risk factor (for something)

WrongSmoking is a risk factor of heart disease.

RightSmoking is a risk factor for heart disease.

A risk factor FOR a disease, not 'of'.

Patternrisk factor (for something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Smoking constitutes an element that elevates the probability of disease.

Natural Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.

'An element that elevates the probability' is jargon; 'risk factor' is the set term.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • a risk factor for
    a risk factor fora major risk factorkey risk factorsreduce the risk

Don't confuse it

Compare with 'cause', which means something directly creates a problem, while a risk factor only increases the chance.

Try it in Daily Speak →