be damaging to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be damaging to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative impact or harm that something may cause to a person, group, or situation. Example: "Excessive screen time can be damaging to children's social skills and emotional development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now that would be damaging to Saddam".

The New York Times - Magazine

That can be damaging to your reputation and an embarrassment.

The New York Times

The second danger is that personal data inferred by analytics may be damaging to an individual.

The Guardian - Tech

When the trials begin, his testimony could be damaging to some of his fellow defendants.

The New York Times

Mr. Melesse's three days of testimony provided evidence that could be damaging to the defense.

The New York Times

The applications process — and pupillage itself — can be damaging to your ego.

The Guardian

It could actually be damaging to the brand if it's seen as a token gesture.

The Guardian

Any or all of these explanations would be damaging to the reputation of the entire organization.

The New York Times

That this memo has only now come to light can only be damaging to the BBC.

The Guardian

In fact, an association with American Renaissance could be damaging to a conservative's career".

The Guardian

It may also be damaging to the party's and Mr Cameron's prospects.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be damaging to", clearly specify what is being harmed and the nature of the damage. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "be damaging to" when the impact is minor or insignificant. Choose a more appropriate phrase that accurately reflects the degree of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be damaging to" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a subject's capacity to cause harm or have a negative impact. Ludwig provides examples of this phrase used to describe various detrimental effects, from damage to health to damage to a brand.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be damaging to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has a harmful or negative effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and general contexts like wikis, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what is being harmed and avoid overstating the extent of the damage. Alternatives such as ""be detrimental to"" or ""be harmful to"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be detrimental to

Emphasizes a long-term negative impact, often in a formal context.

be harmful to

A more general term for causing harm or injury.

be injurious to

Suggests a more direct and immediate form of harm.

be destructive to

Focuses on the act of destroying or demolishing something.

be prejudicial to

Implies a negative impact on fairness or impartiality.

be unhealthy for

Specifically relates to a negative impact on health and well-being.

be ruinous to

Suggests a complete or catastrophic destruction.

be adverse to

Focuses on opposition or conflict, leading to negative consequences.

pose a threat to

Highlights the potential danger or risk involved.

have a negative impact on

A broader and more neutral way to describe adverse effects.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "be damaging to"?

You can use alternatives like "be detrimental to", "be harmful to", or "be injurious to" depending on the context.

How to use "be damaging to" in a sentence?

Use "be damaging to" to describe something that has a negative or harmful effect on something else. For example, "Excessive exposure to the sun can be damaging to your skin."

Is "be damaging for" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "be damaging for" is less common and less formal than "be damaging to". "Be damaging to" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "be damaging to" and "be harmful to"?

Both phrases indicate a negative impact, but "be damaging to" often implies a more long-term or structural harm, while "be harmful to" can refer to more immediate or general harm.