that would hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the potential pain or discomfort that might result from a certain action or situation. Example: "If you keep pushing me like that, I have to warn you, that would hurt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why do we need sanctions that would hurt us too?

The Guardian

It is a reckless proposal that would hurt all taxpayers.

The New York Times

This is a reckless proposal that would hurt all taxpayers.

The New York Times

Cohn killed stories that would hurt his friends.

The New Yorker

In his first Test that would hurt massively.

The Guardian - Sport

These are unlikely to support any sanctions that would hurt their own considerable interests.

The Economist

Such a designation would risk retaliation that would hurt American exporters, the Obama administration has argued.

The New York Times

"You don't have to make it perfect; if anything, that would hurt it.

The New York Times

The concrete fear is that if Greece exits the euro, that would hurt European banks.

The New York Times

"I want to do something that would hurt them, cripple them".

The New Yorker

But at least that would hurt only professional financiers, not small shareholders.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that would hurt", consider the audience and context to ensure the level of intensity is appropriate. It can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, so choose wisely.

Common error

Avoid using "that would hurt" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "that would be detrimental" or "that would inflict pain" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would hurt" functions as a declarative statement expressing a conditional outcome. Grammatically, it combines a relative pronoun ("that"), a modal verb ("would"), and an action verb ("hurt") to describe a hypothetical situation and its potential negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that would hurt" is a versatile expression used to convey potential negative consequences, pain, or discomfort. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it leans toward informality. When aiming for a more formal or professional tone, consider alternatives such as "that would be detrimental" or "that would cause damage". Remember to tailor your language to suit your audience and the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would inflict pain

Highlights the direct experience of pain, either physical or emotional.

that would cause damage

Focuses specifically on the aspect of causing physical or metaphorical damage.

that would be harmful

Stresses the potential for harm, suggesting a broader range of negative effects beyond just pain.

that would wound

Focuses on the deeper, more lasting impact of emotional or psychological harm.

that would be detrimental

Emphasizes the damaging or unfavorable consequences, shifting the focus to the overall negative impact.

that would sting

Conveys a sense of emotional or psychological discomfort, often implying a sharp but temporary pain.

that would have repercussions

Shifts focus to the resulting consequences, implying a chain of negative events.

that would exact a toll

Implies a cost or sacrifice that must be paid as a result of the action, emphasizing a long-term negative impact.

that would prove disadvantageous

Highlights the aspect of putting someone in an unfavorable position or situation.

that would be counterproductive

Emphasizes that the action would hinder progress or produce an unintended, undesirable outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that would hurt" to sound more formal?

In a formal context, you can replace "that would hurt" with alternatives like "that would be detrimental", "that would cause damage", or "that would have repercussions". These options offer a more sophisticated tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What's a less direct way to say "that would hurt"?

If you want to soften the impact, consider using phrases like "that could be uncomfortable", "that might be a setback", or /s/that+could+pose+a+problem, depending on the specific context. These alternatives are less blunt and more nuanced.

Is "that would hurt" appropriate for professional communication?

While "that would hurt" is generally understandable, it might be perceived as too informal in certain professional settings. Consider using /s/that+would+be+disadvantageous or "that would have negative consequences" for a more polished and professional tone.

When is it best to use the phrase "that would hurt"?

"That would hurt" is best used when you want to emphasize the potential for pain or negative consequences resulting from a specific action or situation. It's suitable for scenarios where you need to directly address the potential harm involved.