could prove harmful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could prove harmful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential negative consequences or risks associated with a particular action or situation. Example: "If we ignore the warning signs, it could prove harmful to our health and safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Mr. Miville-Deschenes acknowledged, however, that sealed court files contains information that could prove harmful to some of the corporations that it names.

The New York Times

Last April, the F.D.A. refused four shipments of roasted eel from a nearby Xulong factory because they contained residues of banned antibiotics that could prove harmful to consumers.

The New York Times

Nor do they have to inform residents when they use pes ticides that could prove harmful, or even surrender information on which chemicals have been used.

The Guardian

For one thing, AA is not a standardized treatment program it's a free adjunct to treatment run by non-professionals helping their peers, albeit with a fairly set protocol where interfering with the group's process could prove harmful.

University of California, Berkeley

JERUSALEM — Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister of Israel and its chief negotiator with the Palestinians, cautioned Thursday against expectations of a peace deal before the end of the year and suggested that too much international pressure could prove harmful.

The New York Times

While the party has in the past stirred the nationalist caldron during times of uncertainty, some analysts said they thought that following that script today could prove harmful to China when it is trying to burnish its soft power.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Even if the shirts hold up in the wash, Becky Stern, director of wearable electronics at DIY electronics company Adafruit Industries, points out that sweat could eventually prove harmful.

MIT Technology Review

This last point could prove especially harmful given the current state of net neutrality in the United States.

The Guardian - Opinion

The loss of off-season activities could prove especially harmful to a pass offense that's young and still needing to come together.

The New York Times

The bill's energy-related sanctions could prove particularly harmful to European companies, said Jacob Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.

The Washington Post

Already, for many charities that rely on various federal grants to support some of their work, the threat of federal budget reductions through sequestration poses a grave challenge, and likelihood of further fiscal impact by a limitation on charitable gifts could prove deeply harmful or even fatal for some charities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could prove harmful", consider quantifying the potential harm if possible. For example, instead of saying "the chemical could prove harmful", specify "the chemical could prove harmful to aquatic life".

Common error

Avoid using "could prove harmful" when the harm is already certain. "Will prove harmful" is more appropriate when there is no doubt about the negative outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could prove harmful" functions as a qualifying statement, indicating a potential negative outcome or risk. It introduces uncertainty while highlighting a possible adverse effect. As indicated by Ludwig, it correctly describes the potential for harm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could prove harmful" is a versatile phrase used to express the potential for negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It functions as a cautionary statement, suitable for various registers but most common in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "might be detrimental" or "may turn out to be damaging" exist, "could prove harmful" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it a useful phrase for conveying potential risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be detrimental

Uses a more formal and slightly stronger term to indicate potential harm.

may turn out to be damaging

Emphasizes the eventual negative impact or damage that could result.

could have adverse effects

Focuses on the negative effects or consequences that might occur.

might pose a risk

Highlights the potential danger or hazard associated with something.

could be injurious

A more formal term suggesting potential physical or psychological harm.

may lead to negative outcomes

Focuses on the unfavorable results or consequences that could arise.

might result in problems

A simpler way of saying that something could cause difficulties or issues.

could backfire

Implies that an action could have the opposite of the intended effect and be harmful.

may not be beneficial

Understates the potential for harm by focusing on the lack of benefit.

might create complications

Suggests that something could lead to difficult or complex situations.

FAQs

How can I use "could prove harmful" in a sentence?

Use "could prove harmful" to express a potential negative consequence or risk associated with a particular action or situation. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols "could prove harmful" to workers."

What can I say instead of "could prove harmful"?

You can use alternatives like "might be detrimental", "may turn out to be damaging", or "could have adverse effects" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "could prove harmful"?

It's appropriate when discussing potential negative outcomes or risks that are not yet certain but are possibilities that need to be considered.

What is the difference between "could prove harmful" and "will prove harmful"?

"Could prove harmful" indicates a possibility of harm, while "will prove harmful" suggests a higher degree of certainty that harm will occur.