damage to yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "damage to yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative effects or harm that one may inflict upon oneself, either physically or emotionally. Example: "Engaging in risky behavior can lead to significant damage to yourself, both mentally and physically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

With soft boards, said Peter Paris, a Venice-based surf instructor, "if you drop it on your head, you're going to do less damage to yourself". Get a wetsuit.

Los Angeles Times

"Sometimes," she said, "you almost feel more capable of doing damage to yourself.

The New York Times - Arts

You can go out a buy a fifth of gin and do more damage to yourself".

The Guardian - Opinion

"[They ask] 'do you self harm?' When you say no, that's it – that's all they're bothered about, whether you're going to do damage to yourself or others".

The Guardian

When you go out in waves that are 20 or 30 feet where you can do serious damage to yourself, all these guys say it cuts the chatter in your head.

The New York Times - Magazine

If a vaulter launches himself inches too close or too far from his intended takeoff point, Hooker wrote, "The outcome isn't just a foul, as it is for the long jumpers, you can do serious damage to yourself".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

You will have committed yourself to this one inevitability: Regardless of the damage done to yourself, the rider MUST NOT BE HURT.

WikiHow

You flip the damage on to yourself".

The Guardian - Music

You can do serious damage to devices (and yourself and others) if you're not careful.

WikiHow

The moment you realise that the opponent is serious about doing damage to you, put yourself in a position where your vital points (see step three/tips) are offline, meaning that they are not easy targets for your opponent.

WikiHow

If involved in an accident that causes injury to yourself or damage to your bike, you may be entitled to compensation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks or consequences, use "damage to yourself" to clearly convey the idea of harm that one might inflict upon themselves. This phrase is direct and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using overly vague language when discussing potential harm. Instead of saying something like "be careful," specify the potential "damage to yourself" that could occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damage to yourself" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used to describe harm inflicted upon oneself. The phrase highlights the recipient of the damage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "damage to yourself" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe harm inflicted on oneself. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It appears across various contexts, including news, general advice, and academic discussions. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the type of damage and consider using simpler alternatives like "harm yourself" or "hurt yourself" for broader audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harm yourself

This alternative is a more direct and concise way of expressing the same idea.

hurt yourself

A simple and widely understood way to describe causing oneself physical or emotional pain.

injure yourself

Focuses specifically on physical harm or injury that one inflicts upon oneself.

cause self-harm

Emphasizes the act of intentionally causing harm to oneself, often in a clinical context.

inflict harm on yourself

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "harm yourself".

do yourself harm

This alternative offers a slightly more emphatic and deliberate tone.

endanger yourself

Highlights the act of putting oneself in a risky or perilous situation.

subject yourself to harm

Implies a degree of willingness or acceptance of the potential for harm.

put yourself at risk

Focuses on the potential consequences and dangers of one's actions.

compromise your well-being

Addresses the broader impact on one's overall health and state of being.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "damage to yourself" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "inflict harm on yourself" or "subject yourself to harm". These phrases emphasize the severity and intention behind the action.

What's a simpler way to say "damage to yourself"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "harm yourself" or "hurt yourself". These are more direct and widely understood.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "damage to yourself"?

The phrase "damage to yourself" is appropriate in various contexts, including discussions about risky behavior, mental health, and physical safety. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the potential negative consequences of one's actions on their own well-being.

What's the difference between "damage to yourself" and "damage to others"?

"Damage to yourself" refers to harm that one inflicts upon oneself, while "damage to others" refers to harm that one inflicts upon other people or entities. The former is self-directed, while the latter is directed towards external targets.