it would cause damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would cause damage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential negative consequences of an action or decision. Example: "If we proceed with the construction without proper permits, it would cause damage to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It vetoed a recent proposal for local video news, on the grounds that it would cause damage to commercial players.

The Guardian

A Survation poll for the CPRE last week found three-quarters of residents believed it would cause damage to the countryside and environment.

The Guardian

If a missile like that functioned as designed, it would cause damage like that evident in the debris of Flight 17. Photographs of a piece of wreckage from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 offer evidence about what could have caused it to crash.

The New York Times

Two days later the Senate ordered the government to table the advice it had relied on in making that decision, but on Thursday the assistant minister for immigration and border protection, Michaelia Cash, told the Senate the advice could not be revealed because it would "cause damage to national security".

The Guardian

If an asteroid the size of 2011 AG5 hit Earth, it would cause damage to a region stretching at least 100 miles (161 km) wide, the researchers said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Mr. Hayes said he decided against resigning because it would cause "harm and collateral damage to the reputation of this agency" and would be seen as flouting the board's traditions when he was already criticizing the board's Democrats for doing that.

The New York Times

"It was a situation where any gusty winds would cause damage".

Los Angeles Times

However, the ODNI said it was not surprising that intelligence agencies would work to defeat encryption, and that disclosing any specifics would cause damage.

The Guardian

Much higher blasting pressure would cause damage to the substrate.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A backward bolt could provide a rough edge that would cause damage, he said.

The New York Times

Experimental studies yield a threshold of 1 W/cm2 for the power density, which would cause damage of the coated conductor.

Physica C: Superconductivity

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it would cause damage", be specific about the type of damage to enhance clarity. For example, specify whether it's "environmental damage", "economic damage", or "reputational damage".

Common error

Avoid using "it would cause damage" without specifying the potential scope or extent of the damage. This can make your writing seem less impactful. Instead of just saying "it would cause damage", quantify or qualify the damage to make it more meaningful and easier to grasp.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would cause damage" functions as a predictive statement, often appearing in conditional sentences. It expresses a potential negative consequence, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is usable in written English. The examples on Ludwig illustrate this function across different domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would cause damage" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for indicating potential negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It's particularly prevalent in news and scientific reporting, serving to warn or caution about potential risks. To enhance clarity, specifying the type and extent of the damage is advisable. While "it will cause damage" implies greater certainty, ""it would cause damage"" suggests a conditional outcome. Be mindful of the context and audience to ensure the phrase's formality aligns appropriately. Remember to consider alternatives such as "it could inflict harm" or "it might lead to destruction" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could inflict harm

Replaces "cause damage" with "inflict harm", emphasizing the act of causing harm.

it might lead to destruction

Substitutes "cause damage" with "lead to destruction", highlighting a more severe outcome.

it may result in impairment

Replaces "cause damage" with "result in impairment", focusing on the reduction of function or ability.

it could generate adversity

Changes "cause damage" to "generate adversity", emphasizing the creation of unfavorable conditions.

it might provoke devastation

Replaces "cause damage" with "provoke devastation", suggesting a widespread and severe impact.

it could engender ruin

Substitutes "cause damage" with "engender ruin", focusing on the complete collapse or destruction of something.

it may give rise to impairment

Emphasizes the origin of the negative result, shifting the focus from action to consequence.

it might trigger decay

Suggests a gradual decline or deterioration as a result of the initial action.

it could initiate harm

Focuses on the commencement of negative effects, emphasizing the beginning of the damage process.

it may induce loss

Highlights the consequence as a deprivation or bereavement, changing the damage component.

FAQs

How can I use "it would cause damage" in a sentence?

You can use "it would cause damage" to express a potential negative outcome of an action or event. For example, "If we don't address the pollution, "it would cause damage" to the local ecosystem".

What are some alternatives to saying "it would cause damage"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it could inflict harm", "it might lead to destruction", or "it may result in impairment", depending on the specific context and severity of the potential outcome.

Is it better to use "it will cause damage" or "it would cause damage"?

"It will cause damage" expresses a higher degree of certainty, while ""it would cause damage"" suggests a conditional or hypothetical scenario. The choice depends on how sure you are about the outcome.

What kind of damage is typically referred to when using the phrase "it would cause damage"?

The phrase can refer to various types of damage, including environmental, economic, reputational, or physical harm. Specifying the type of damage makes the statement more precise and impactful.