may hurt their

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may hurt their" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential negative impacts or consequences that could affect a group or individual. Example: "The new policy may hurt their chances of receiving funding for future projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

You may hurt their feelings.

The New York Times

Many businesses are complaining about rising costs, which may hurt their willingness to invest.

The New York Times

Why do black parents give their children names that may hurt their career prospects?

The New York Times - Magazine

After the government disclosed it found a way into the phone, "it may hurt their credibility for the next time," Sanchez said.

The Guardian - Tech

Corporations have curbed spending on Emulex's products and other computer-related equipment as they prepare for an economic slowdown that may hurt their business.

The New York Times

Companies have curbed spending on Emulex's products and other computer equipment as they face an economic slowdown that may hurt their business.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

They may have hurt their cause somewhat by initially overstating the discovery aspect of their research.

The New York Times

I've also rendered a "verdict" for each candidate, which is an attempt to evaluate whether and how their late entry may have hurt their campaigns.

The New York Times

Rather than helping youngsters, such products may actually hurt their vocabularies.

Science Magazine

A source tells us that the company was very close to selling to Viacom for $10 million earlier this year, but the deal fell through when Viacom realized that owning the site, which contains a lot of copyright infringing content, may have hurt their positioning in the billion dollar ongoing litigation with Google.

TechCrunch

ThIt article originally appeared on VICE ASIA.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may hurt their", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Hurt" can imply emotional or physical pain, so choose it when that aspect is relevant.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid using "hurt" repeatedly. Instead, vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "damage", "impair", or "jeopardize" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may hurt their" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility of causing harm or negative impact. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may hurt their" is a versatile phrase used to express the possibility of negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for general use, consider synonyms such as "could harm their" or "might damage their" to fine-tune the message and maintain a professional tone in formal contexts. Remember that while "hurt" can imply emotional or physical pain, alternatives may be more appropriate depending on the specific impact being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could harm their

Indicates a potential negative impact, focusing on damage or injury.

might damage their

Suggests possible detriment or impairment to something they possess or value.

could jeopardize their

Highlights the risk of losing or endangering something important to them.

might impair their

Focuses on the potential weakening or diminishing of their abilities or qualities.

could undermine their

Emphasizes the gradual weakening or erosion of their position or standing.

might adversely affect their

A more formal way of saying something could negatively impact them.

could have a detrimental effect on their

Highlights the damaging or harmful consequences that something might have.

might be detrimental to their

Similar to the above, but emphasizing the state of being harmful.

could prove harmful to their

Suggests that something has the potential to be damaging.

might have negative repercussions for their

Focuses on the potential consequences or aftereffects that might be unfavorable.

FAQs

What does "may hurt their" mean?

The phrase "may hurt their" suggests a possibility of causing harm or damage to someone or something. The harm could be physical, emotional, or financial.

What can I say instead of "may hurt their"?

You can use alternatives like "could harm their", "might damage their", or "could jeopardize their" depending on the context.

How can I use "may hurt their" in a sentence?

You can use "may hurt their" to express potential negative consequences. For example: "The new regulations may hurt their ability to compete in the market.".

Is "may hurt their" grammatically correct?

Yes, "may hurt their" is grammatically correct. "May" is a modal verb indicating possibility, "hurt" is a verb, and "their" is a possessive pronoun.