this can kill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this can kill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are warning someone about the potential danger or lethal consequences of something. Example: "Be careful with that chemical; this can kill if ingested."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"The doctor knows that this can kill the patient," Rabbi Mann insisted.

The New York Times - Health

This can kill the stereographic effect.

Vice

This can kill your click-through rate and this pulls down your quality score as well.

Huffington Post

"If you are highly allergic this can kill you," according to Santucci.

Vice

This can kill you.

WikiHow

This can kill your body's natural bacteria.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This move can kill a person inadvertently if you apply too much pressure as this can cut off oxygen to the brain!

WikiHow

The tragic death of Rashidi Wheeler shows how suddenly this disease can kill.

The New York Times

"This museum can kill artists with its retrospectives," observed Marty Eisenberg, a prominent collector and the vice president of Bed Bath & Beyond.

The New York Times

"This thing can kill people," said Milton A. Bearden, who ran the C.I.A.'s war against Soviet forces in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

"In the past, it hasn't been a really big issue, but they've got to be told that this stuff can kill you".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "this can kill", ensure the context clearly identifies what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity that could undermine the warning's effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "this can kill" in overly dramatic or sensationalized contexts where the risk is minimal. Overusing such phrases can diminish their impact when a genuine danger is present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this can kill" functions as a warning or advisory statement. According to Ludwig, this phrase correctly conveys a potential danger or lethal consequence. Examples show it used to caution about chemicals, allergies, or dangerous situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this can kill" serves as a straightforward warning, communicating potential danger effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While common in informal contexts like wikis, it also appears in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what "this" refers to. Alternative phrases, such as "it could be fatal" or "this is potentially lethal", offer similar meanings but can be more suitable for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be fatal

Replaces "this" with "it" and "can kill" with "could be fatal", shifting the focus to potential fatality.

this is potentially lethal

Substitutes "can kill" with "is potentially lethal", emphasizing the inherent danger.

it carries a risk of death

Replaces the directness of "kill" with the more descriptive "carries a risk of death".

this may result in fatality

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "can kill" with "may result in fatality".

this poses a mortal threat

Emphasizes the severity of the threat by using "poses a mortal threat" instead of "can kill".

it presents a danger to life

Shifts the focus to the general threat to life rather than directly stating "kill".

the consequences could be deadly

Changes the structure to focus on consequences, replacing "this" with "the consequences".

avoid this at all costs

Expresses strong warning, but shifts the focus from lethality to avoidance.

this is life-threatening

Substitutes "can kill" with "is life-threatening" to highlight the danger.

it has the potential to cause death

Replaces the directness of "kill" with the more descriptive "has the potential to cause death".

FAQs

How to use "this can kill" in a sentence?

Use "this can kill" to warn about potential dangers. For example: "Be careful with that substance; "this can kill" if ingested". Make sure the referent of 'this' is clear.

What can I say instead of "this can kill"?

You can use alternatives like "it could be fatal", "this is potentially lethal", or "it carries a risk of death" depending on the context.

Is "this can kill" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "this can kill" may be too direct for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "this may result in fatality" or "it presents a danger to life" in academic papers.

When is it appropriate to use "this can kill"?

It's appropriate when you want to directly and emphatically warn someone about a potentially lethal hazard. However, consider your audience and the situation to decide if a more nuanced warning would be more effective.