it never hurts

USAGE SUMMARY

"it never hurts" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to express advice to someone that a particular course of action may not provide any harm, even if it may not provide any benefit. Example sentence: “If you’re considering taking a self-defense class, it never hurts to learn how to protect yourself.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it never hurts.

The New York Times

Still, it never hurts to be certain.

The New Yorker

"It never hurts to ask," she said.

The New York Times

"It never hurts to explore your options".

The New York Times

"And it never hurts to do more".

The New York Times - Style

Anyhow, it never hurts to pretend.

The New York Times

Still, it never hurts to check.

The New York Times

But it never hurts to ask.

The New York Times

It never hurts to underline our overwhelming commonality.

The New York Times

But it never hurts to make some points explicit.

The New York Times

It never hurts, not even in law school.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it never hurts" to encourage someone to take action, especially when the potential downsides are minimal. For example: "If you're unsure about asking for a raise, remember, "it never hurts" to ask."

Common error

While "it never hurts" is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it in your writing or speech. Excessive repetition can make your communication sound repetitive and uninspired. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives such as "it can't hurt" or "there's no harm in trying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it never hurts" functions as an idiomatic expression used to offer encouragement or justification for taking a particular action. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various scenarios, from seeking a second opinion to simply being polite.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it never hurts" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to encourage action by minimizing perceived risk. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for written English and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news media, general advice, and business scenarios. Remember to consider alternatives and avoid overuse for clear and engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can't hurt

Replaces "never" with "can't", slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning of minimal risk.

it wouldn't do any harm

Emphasizes the lack of potential negative consequences from a particular action.

there's no harm in trying

Directly states that attempting something carries no negative repercussions.

it's worth a shot

Suggests that trying something is worthwhile, even if the chances of success are not guaranteed.

it's always worth a try

Highlights the perpetual value in attempting something, irrespective of the outcome.

you might as well try

Implies that there is little reason not to attempt something, suggesting minimal effort or risk.

it won't make things worse

Focuses on the assurance that the action will not exacerbate the current situation.

it's a low-risk option

Frames the action as having minimal potential for negative consequences.

give it a whirl

Suggests attempting something in a casual and informal way, implying minimal commitment.

what's the worst that could happen?

Encourages action by prompting consideration of the limited potential downsides.

FAQs

How can I use "it never hurts" in a sentence?

You can use "it never hurts" to suggest that a particular action is worth trying, even if the outcome is uncertain. For instance, "it never hurts to ask" or "it never hurts to try".

What does "it never hurts" mean?

The phrase "it never hurts" means that doing something is unlikely to cause any harm or negative consequences, and might even be beneficial. It suggests that the action is worth trying, even if the chances of success are not guaranteed.

What can I say instead of "it never hurts"?

You can use alternatives like "it can't hurt", "there's no harm in trying", or "it's worth a shot" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it never hurts"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "it never hurts". The phrase is a common idiom used to express that an action is unlikely to cause harm and may be beneficial. Ludwig AI also confirms its validity in written English.