it would be very damaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be very damaging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential negative consequences or harm that may result from a specific action or situation. Example: "If we proceed with this plan, it would be very damaging to our reputation in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He knows that it would be very damaging for Scotland to do that.

The Guardian

We would see, not just inflation higher, we would see unemployment higher and I think it would be very damaging indeed".

The Guardian

Tony Blair seemed more concerned than the Americans about any invasion being seen by critics as a war for oil, telling them it would be very damaging if the two countries were seen to "grab Iraq's oil".

The Guardian

"With the political climate, the public concerns about the financial services industry, and Chris's reputation as someone who fights corruption, if there's even the insinuation that Todd was receiving information from inside government that benefited his business, it would be very damaging to the new governor".

The New York Times

It would be "very damaging to exactly the kind of people we're trying to protect", argued Tim Geithner, the treasury secretary, because houses would remain empty, dragging down local prices.No evidence that anyone has been wrongly evicted has yet been found.

The Economist

"The president chose to put it at NSF for the right reasons," he adds, "and switching it would be very damaging to the program".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The idea of first building up this great story and then having it proven factually inaccurate would be very damaging".

The New York Times - Magazine

Such variation would be very damaging for life, as it would not only destroy any complex organic molecules that could possibly form biological precursors, but also because it would blow off sizeable portions of the planet's atmosphere.

Wikipedia

"I think that would be very damaging.

Independent

And to the mother of a two-year-old daughter, "that would be very damaging".

Independent

There are plenty of steps China could take that would be very damaging to American interests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "very damaging" with a more specific descriptor like "detrimental", "harmful", or "devastating" to convey the degree and nature of the damage more accurately.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very" to intensify the adjective "damaging". While grammatically correct, it can weaken the impact. Instead, choose a stronger, more descriptive adjective that inherently conveys the severity of the damage, such as "catastrophic" or "crippling".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be very damaging" functions as a statement expressing a prediction or assessment of potential negative consequences. It serves to warn or caution against a particular action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples of its application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be very damaging" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression for conveying potential negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, though replacing "very damaging" with stronger, more specific adjectives can enhance impact. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral tone ensures appropriateness in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could cause significant harm

Changes 'would be' to 'could cause' altering the certainty, and replaces 'very damaging' with 'significant harm' for emphasis.

it might be seriously detrimental

Substitutes 'would be' with 'might be', reducing certainty, and replaces 'very damaging' with 'seriously detrimental', which is more formal.

it could have severe repercussions

Replaces the original phrase with an emphasis on consequences, using 'severe repercussions' to highlight the potential impact.

it may lead to considerable losses

Focuses on the outcome, replacing 'very damaging' with 'considerable losses', and uses 'may lead to' to indicate possibility.

it risks substantial negative impact

Emphasizes the risk involved, replacing 'very damaging' with 'substantial negative impact' for a stronger tone.

it poses a significant threat

Shifts the focus to the element of threat, replacing 'very damaging' with 'a significant threat' to highlight potential danger.

it carries considerable risks

Highlights the risk aspect, replacing 'very damaging' with 'considerable risks' to focus on the potential dangers.

it is fraught with peril

Uses a more dramatic and evocative expression, replacing 'very damaging' with 'fraught with peril' for emphasis.

it has the potential for grave consequences

Focuses on potential future effects with 'grave consequences' conveying a sense of seriousness.

it spells disaster

A shorter, more emphatic way of saying something will have extremely negative effects.

FAQs

What does "it would be very damaging" mean?

The phrase "it would be very damaging" suggests that a particular action, situation, or event is likely to cause significant harm, loss, or negative consequences. The extent of the damage is emphasized by the word "very".

What can I say instead of "it would be very damaging"?

You can use alternatives like "it could cause significant harm", "it might be seriously detrimental", or "it could have severe repercussions depending on the context.

Is "it would be very damaging" formal or informal?

The phrase "it would be very damaging" is considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might opt for a more sophisticated alternative.

How can I make the phrase "it would be very damaging" more impactful?

To increase the impact, replace "very damaging" with stronger, more specific adjectives such as "devastating", "catastrophic", or "crippling". Provide concrete examples of the potential damage to emphasize the severity of the consequences.