it may embarrass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may embarrass" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or action that has the potential to cause embarrassment to someone. Example: "I think it may embarrass her if we bring up her past mistakes during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It may embarrass the McCain people and infuriate my Bush friends to raise this open-convention possibility now, but what are seers for, if not to foresee?

The New York Times

"The real reason House Republicans want to keep the typical worker's pay secret," he said, according to WaPo, "is that it may embarrass some companies to reveal that they pay their CEO in the range of 400 times what they pay their typical worker".

Huffington Post

It may embarrass him!

WikiHow

It may embarrass your crush to the point that they avoid you.

WikiHow

Never shout 'Ew.. there's pee on the seat!' It may embarrass the person that just went in that stall if they are still washing their hands.

WikiHow

Doing so may cause the person in charge to think you cannot solve problems by yourself, and it may embarrass the person you are trying to address.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Yesterday the Prince of Wales, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment, said: 'It may embarrass the brigadier that we are unveiling a statue of him today but we are also here to commemorate the sacrifice of those who died.

The Guardian

Don't make a big production out of it, but don't do it in a way that may embarrass her.

WikiHow

It's very personal and may embarrass her.

WikiHow

It's a reminder that while Republicans may embarrass on a daily basis, many progressives have lost touch with what actually produces growth and prosperity.

The New York Times

She'll likely notice the lie and feel very hurt, since you not only acknowledged that you noticed something that may embarrass her, you also made it clear that you could find nothing positive to say about it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the impact, rephrase to focus on the resulting feeling rather than the direct action of embarrassing. For example, use "it could lead to awkwardness" instead of "it may embarrass".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "it may embarrass" in formal writing. Opt for more precise language that specifies the nature and degree of the potential negative consequence. For instance, instead of "the data leak may embarrass the company", use "the data leak could damage the company's reputation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may embarrass" functions as a statement of possibility. It suggests that a particular action or situation has the potential to cause someone to feel embarrassed. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is often used to express concern or caution about potential social repercussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it may embarrass" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility of causing someone embarrassment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples showing its use across different contexts like Wiki and News. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is useful for expressing caution or concern about potential social discomfort. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "it could damage their reputation". When writing, be mindful of the audience and context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be embarrassing

Changes the auxiliary verb to "could" affecting the level of certainty, implies a slightly lower probability of embarrassment.

it might cause embarrassment

Substitutes "may embarrass" with "might cause embarrassment", altering the phrasing while retaining the core meaning.

it could lead to awkwardness

Replaces "embarrass" with "lead to awkwardness", shifting the focus from direct embarrassment to a more general state of discomfort.

it has the potential to humiliate

Replaces "embarrass" with "humiliate", indicating a stronger degree of potential shame or loss of dignity.

it risks causing discomfort

Uses "risks causing discomfort" to convey a possibility of unease, softening the impact compared to "embarrass".

it's liable to mortify

Replaces "embarrass" with "mortify", implying a deeper level of shame and chagrin.

it is apt to shame

Utilizes "apt to shame" to express a tendency towards causing shame, a slightly more formal and intense version of embarrassment.

it threatens to discomfit

Employs "threatens to discomfit" to suggest a looming potential for unease and mild embarrassment.

it runs the risk of shaming

Expresses the potential for shame with a slightly more emphatic tone using "runs the risk of shaming".

it threatens to put someone in an awkward position

Focuses on the resulting situation rather than the direct act of embarrassment by using "put someone in an awkward position".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it may embarrass" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it could damage their reputation", "it might cause them to lose face", or "it could potentially humiliate them". Each of these options offers a more elevated and sophisticated way to express the same underlying concern.

What's the difference between "it may embarrass" and "it may humiliate"?

"It may embarrass" suggests a mild feeling of awkwardness or shame, while "it may humiliate" implies a much deeper and more profound sense of shame and loss of dignity. The choice depends on the severity of the potential outcome.

In what situations is it best to avoid using "it may embarrass"?

Avoid using "it may embarrass" in situations requiring precise and impactful language, such as legal documents or critical business communications. Opt for stronger verbs that more accurately reflect the potential consequences. Also, avoid it when the context is informal, using more casual options.

Are there more direct ways to express concern about causing embarrassment?

Yes, you can use phrases like "I don't want to cause you embarrassment" or "I'm concerned that this might be embarrassing for you". These are more direct and personal ways to address the potential for embarrassment. Also consider alternatives like "it might cause embarrassment".