Exposure is a noun, while "expose" is a verb. "Exposed" appears in the passive construction. Mixing these forms creates a common grammatical error.
The error, and the fix
The error looks like this: "We are exposure to currency risk." This is more than a simple typo. It blends two correct grammatical patterns into one incorrect construction.
"Incorrect: 'We are exposure to currency risk.' Correct: 'We are exposed to currency risk' or 'We have exposure to currency risk.'"
Both corrections sound natural and communicate the same basic idea. They simply use different grammatical structures.
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See how Lyra Practice works →Three correct shapes, one wrong hybrid
"'The decision exposes us to risk' (verb) becomes 'we are exposed to risk' (passive adjective) or 'the decision increases our exposure to risk' (noun) -- three correct shapes, one wrong hybrid."
Keep these forms clear by choosing one grammatical pattern per sentence. In the verb pattern, the decision is the subject acting on "us." The passive pattern makes "we" the affected subject instead. The noun pattern treats exposure as something that can increase or decrease. All three patterns are correct. Do not combine the noun with the verb's structure. That combination creates "we are exposure to."
Why this particular blend happens so often
This error is common because "exposure," "exposed," and "expose" look similar. A writer may quickly choose the noun when the sentence needs a passive form. The incorrect result can look almost right. Use a quick grammar check before sending your message. After "we are," choose the passive form "exposed," not the noun "exposure."
Practice scenarios
Practice using exposure in these situations.
- catching 'we are exposure to' in a draft before it goes out
- choosing between the verb, passive-adjective, and noun forms in a risk update
- explaining the noun/verb distinction to a colleague who keeps blending the two
Useful phrases to try.
- "We are exposed to [risk]."
- "We have exposure to [risk]."
- "The decision exposes us to [risk]."
You have three correct ways to avoid this grammatical mistake. Choose one complete pattern instead of blending them into an incorrect fourth pattern.
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