could be crippled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be crippled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something may be severely impaired or disabled, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The project could be crippled by a lack of funding, making it difficult to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

They could be crippled by their pension liabilities.

The Economist

If they carry out their threat, LIFFE could be crippled.

The Economist

Physical punishment was common and women could be crippled by it, he said.

The New York Times

A large, handsome man with a brave war record, he could be crippled by shyness with strangers.

The Guardian

The notion that New York could be crippled by a hurricane, or a weather event of any kind, is hard to credit.

The New Yorker

Many of the country's 100-plus automobile assembly plants face extinction if imports surge as tariffs fall, and chemical plants could be crippled by foreign competition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

They could not despair, could not be crippled by loneliness, could not fight for the cross or suffer for science, would not know epiphanies or endure tropical fevers.

The New York Times - Books

The winner of this bidding war could ultimately be crippled by the deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Banks in those countries could also be crippled if people start to yank money out of them, as has begun to happen in Greece.

The New York Times

But Baidu couldn't be crippled.

Forbes

Or could a politician's credibility be crippled by open access to the inner workings of their mind?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "could be crippled", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the impairment, whether physical, financial, or otherwise. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be crippled" in very casual conversations or informal writing where a less severe term might be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong connotation of damage or impairment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be crippled" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for something to be severely damaged or impaired. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe the potential negative impacts on entities like businesses, systems, or even individuals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be crippled" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the potential for severe damage or impairment across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed in news, business, and scientific domains to highlight risks and warn against potential negative outcomes. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for situations where the severity of the potential impact warrants such a strong expression. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the type of impairment, and consider alternatives like "might be incapacitated" or "could be seriously impaired" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be incapacitated

Replaces 'crippled' with 'incapacitated', suggesting a complete inability to function normally.

could be seriously impaired

Emphasizes the possibility of diminished functionality or ability.

may be severely damaged

Focuses on the potential for significant harm or destruction.

may be substantially weakened

Focuses on the possibility of a reduction in strength or power.

might be rendered ineffective

Highlights the potential for something to lose its ability to produce the desired result.

could be severely hampered

Suggests that progress or functionality might be significantly impeded.

might be rendered unworkable

Indicates that something might become impossible to use or operate.

might be left powerless

Highlights the potential for a loss of control or influence.

may be permanently disabled

Emphasizes the possibility of a long-lasting or irreversible loss of function.

could be fatally undermined

Focuses on the potential for something to be destroyed or ruined completely.

FAQs

What does "could be crippled" mean?

The phrase "could be crippled" means something has the potential to be severely damaged, weakened, or impaired, either physically or metaphorically.

How can I use "could be crippled" in a sentence?

You can use "could be crippled" to describe the potential negative consequences of something, like "The company "could be crippled" by the new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "could be crippled"?

Alternatives to "could be crippled" include "might be incapacitated", "may be severely damaged", or "could be seriously impaired", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "could be crippled" too strong of a phrase to use?

Whether "could be crippled" is too strong depends on the context. It's suitable when describing potentially severe impairment or damage, but may be overly dramatic in less serious situations. Consider alternatives like "might be hindered" or "could be impaired" for milder situations.