disadvantageous to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “disadvantageous to” is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it when referring to something causing harm or disadvantage. For example, “The new policy is disadvantageous to low-income earners.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Times

The Guardian

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His embassy resulted in a peace disadvantageous to the Athenians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's disadvantageous to get the cart ahead of the horse.

The New York Times

Some day, he said, a white judge might draw a map that was disadvantageous to blacks.

The New York Times

Both would be highly disadvantageous to German and European interests in working towards global conflict reduction.

The Guardian

In loan "flipping," for example, homeowners are tricked into complex refinancing even when it is disadvantageous to them.

The New York Times

Normal fish do not produce growth hormone in the winter, presumably because it is disadvantageous to do so.

The New York Times

This was replaced in 1984, but the new agreement is still disadvantageous to Mozambique.

The Economist

The second (April 30 , 1506, the Intercursus Malus, was a trade agreement disadvantageous to the Netherlands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But even if those options grants always helped a company's stock price, they are disadvantageous to society.

The New York Times

"We were closing to getting them at one point, but the mountainous terrain proved disadvantageous to us," Brig.

The New York Times

But when, as is so often the case, there are not enough black adopters available, then to continue to emphasise race is cruelly disadvantageous to black children.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disadvantageous to", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is being negatively affected. Clarity in this regard enhances the impact and precision of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "disadvantageous to" when "inconvenient for" or "challenging for" would be more accurate. "Disadvantageous" implies a significant and detrimental effect, not just a minor difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disadvantageous to" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is causing harm or putting someone or something in an unfavorable position. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "disadvantageous to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something causing harm or an unfavorable position. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the affected entity and avoid overstating the impact. Alternatives like "detrimental to" or "harmful to" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Detrimental to

Indicates damage or harm, similar to being disadvantageous but emphasizes the negative consequences.

Harmful to

Focuses on the potential for causing injury or damage, highlighting the negative impact.

Unfavorable to

Emphasizes a lack of support or approval, differing slightly from the direct negative impact.

Prejudicial to

Highlights the potential for bias or unfairness, introducing a sense of injustice.

Counterproductive for

Focuses on hindering progress or achieving goals, shifting the emphasis to ineffectiveness.

Inimical to

Suggests a deeper, more fundamental opposition or hostility, a stronger negative connotation.

Adverse to

Similar to unfavorable, but can also imply a direct and opposing force.

Risky for

Indicates the presence of danger or uncertainty, a shift in focus to potential negative outcomes.

Detracting from

Implies a reduction in value or quality, a more indirect impact than direct harm.

Hinderance to

Emphasis on obstruction to progress or development.

FAQs

How can I use "disadvantageous to" in a sentence?

You can use "disadvantageous to" to describe something that causes harm or puts someone or something in an unfavorable position. For example, "The new regulations are "disadvantageous to" small businesses".

What are some alternatives to saying "disadvantageous to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "harmful to", "detrimental to", or "unfavorable to" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "disadvantaged to" instead of "disadvantageous to"?

"Disadvantaged" typically describes someone lacking advantages, while "disadvantageous" describes something causing a disadvantage. Therefore, using "disadvantaged to" is generally incorrect; "disadvantageous to" is the appropriate term.

What's the difference between "disadvantageous to" and "detrimental to"?

While both indicate a negative impact, "detrimental to" often implies a more significant or lasting harm than "disadvantageous to". "Disadvantageous to" suggests something putting someone at a competitive or situational disadvantage, while "detrimental to" suggests actual harm or damage.