be prejudicial to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prejudicial to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something may cause harm or disadvantage to someone or something. Example: "The new policy may be prejudicial to the interests of small businesses in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The companies said, "We are concerned this may be prejudicial to our forthcoming appeal".

The New York Times

We need an appropriate selection policy that cannot be prejudicial to individual athletes".

Independent

Not be prejudicial to the image or reputation of GNM or its publications.

The Guardian

Even if they know it's spent, there's potential for that to be prejudicial to someone's jobseeking.

The Guardian - Tech

"We consider that the delay involved in consulting would probably be prejudicial to consumers," said an FCA spokesman.

The Guardian - Money

The problem was that Saddam was judged to be prejudicial to western interests, so he had to go.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We are not doing anything that is prejudicial to families".

The New York Times

It also ruled it was prejudicial to try the two together.

The New York Times

The manifesto does not say it is prejudicial to challenge belief systems.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if caught, we could have been court-martialed for conduct that was "prejudicial to good order and discipline".

The New York Times

This allowed top-secret documents to be suppressed if they were "prejudicial to the safety of the state".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be prejudicial to", ensure the context clearly identifies what or whom is being harmed or disadvantaged. This enhances the sentence's clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be prejudicial to" in casual conversation; simpler terms like "harmful" or "unfair" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prejudicial to" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, indicating something is likely to cause harm or disadvantage. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It connects an action or situation with a potential negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be prejudicial to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the potential for harm or disadvantage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common in news, legal, and formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. The phrase's presence across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and wide acceptance. When employing this phrase, clarity about what is being affected is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be detrimental to

Focuses specifically on causing damage or harm.

be harmful to

Emphasizes the capacity to cause harm or injury.

be damaging to

Highlights the action of causing damage.

be unfavorable to

Indicates a lack of support or approval, which can be disadvantaging.

be adverse to

Suggests an opposing or contrary effect.

be injurious to

Implies causing physical or emotional harm.

be disadvantageous to

Highlights the creation of an unfavorable position.

be contrary to

Suggests direct opposition or contradiction.

be unfair to

Focuses on the lack of justice or equity.

be biased against

Emphasizes a prejudiced viewpoint or action.

FAQs

How can I use "be prejudicial to" in a sentence?

Use "be prejudicial to" to indicate that something could cause harm or disadvantage. For example: "The evidence presented may "be prejudicial to" the defendant's case".

What are some alternatives to "be prejudicial to"?

You can use phrases like "be detrimental to", "be harmful to", or "be damaging to" as alternatives to "be prejudicial to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "prejudicial to" or "prejudiced to"?

"Prejudicial to" is correct when indicating something causes harm or disadvantage. "Prejudiced to" is not a standard or grammatically correct construction. Instead, use "prejudiced against" to indicate bias.

Is "be prejudicial to" formal or informal?

"Be prejudicial to" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, alternatives like "be harmful to" or "be unfair to" may be more appropriate.