injure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "injure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to causing physical harm or damage to someone or something. Example: "He didn't mean to injure his friend during the game, but the accident happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Washington Post article published on Wednesday revealed vague details of a police document that quoted a prisoner who had been placed in the same police van as Gray – though in a separate compartment – as saying Gray had been "trying to injure himself".

The Guardian

If I'm doing it alone, I'm likely to injure my back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And they all "played their respective roles" in the plan to make a bomb or bombs, which would be used "to kill or injure citizens of the UK", said Mr Waters.

The Guardian

If there is probable cause to suspect an individual of working with terrorists, seeking to injure or murder other Americans, we need to have the tools to prevent those attacks before they occur".

The Guardian

I was on the field, playing for the shirt from my country, not without the intent to injure.

The Guardian - Sport

Mum is now convinced he will injure or kill a patient so she consults me on how to stop him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sometimes I push through that, but I think that over the years I've got a bit smarter in deciding that it's not feeling like a good day to run – maybe I'm feeling a bit sick, or I feel like I might injure myself, and I decide to pull back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yes, there are rare exceptions: for example, death from radically infectious disease such as Ebola, or death from a car accident so violent that it might injure the family to see the condition of the body.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since all the tariffs have made foreign goods synonymous in the public mind with luxury, such campaigns injure imports most.

The Economist

If the Republicans do well in the mid-terms, Mr Ornstein fears, they will try even harder to cripple Mr Obama by opposing all the Democrats' initiatives.Perhaps they will though the Republicans might injure their own chances if they become only the "party of no".

The Economist

Girls are much more likely to injure themselves deliberately than boys: 11% of girls admitted to self-harming in the preceding year, compared with 3% of boys.The practice has been growing fast, according to Chris Holley, a nurse at St George's Hospital in Stafford and a specialist in self-harming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing non-physical harm, consider more nuanced alternatives like "damage", "impair", or "undermine" to convey the specific type of harm inflicted.

Common error

Avoid using "injure" when you mean to describe emotional harm or offense. While "injure" can sometimes imply emotional distress, it primarily refers to physical harm. Use "offend", "insult", or "hurt someone's feelings" instead.

Linguistic Context

"Injure" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person or thing being harmed). It describes the action of causing physical harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing physical injuries and more abstract forms of harm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "injure" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of causing physical harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently found in contexts related to news, science, and formal writing. The usage of "injure" is considered grammatically correct and quite common, as evidenced by the numerous examples from authoritative sources. When aiming for greater precision, consider alternatives like "harm", "wound", or "impair". Be mindful of the subtle differences between "injure" and related terms like "insult", ensuring accurate communication. In essence, "injure" is a fundamental term in the English lexicon, crucial for expressing harm across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurt

This is a simple, direct synonym referring to physical or emotional pain.

harm

This is a broader term encompassing physical, emotional, or other types of damage.

cause harm

This alternative is a more general way of describing the act of inflicting damage or injury.

inflict damage

This phrase emphasizes the resulting damage from the act of causing injury.

wound

This alternative refers specifically to physical injury, often from a weapon or accident.

impair

This alternative suggests a weakening or diminishing of function or ability.

traumatize

This term refers to causing severe emotional or psychological damage.

afflict

This suggests causing pain or suffering, often in a more prolonged or pervasive way.

incapacitate

This suggests rendering someone unable to function normally, either temporarily or permanently.

disable

This alternative focuses on the loss of ability or function as a result of injury.

FAQs

How is "injure" typically used in a sentence?

"Injure" is a verb that means to cause physical harm or damage to someone or something. For example, "He didn't mean to injure his friend during the game."

What are some synonyms for "injure"?

Synonyms for "injure" include "harm", "wound", "hurt", "damage", and "impair". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "injure" to describe emotional harm?

While "injure" primarily refers to physical harm, it can sometimes be used to describe emotional or psychological harm, though alternatives like "hurt" or "damage" are often more appropriate.

What is the difference between "injure" and "wound"?

"Wound" specifically refers to a physical injury, often one that involves a cut or break in the skin. "Injure" is a broader term that can include wounds, but also other types of physical harm.