this could be damaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this could be damaging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential negative consequences or harm that may arise from a situation or action. Example: "If we proceed with this plan without proper research, this could be damaging to our reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This could be damaging to your finances for years to come.

Huffington Post

This could be damaging".

The New Yorker

This could be damaging enough.

The Economist

This could be damaging to manufacturers, which need assurances of adequate energy supplies at affordable prices to compete globally.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Tate has been advised that this dust could be damaging to health following repeated inhalation over a long period of time.

The New Yorker

The movement of the crowds released a "greater than expected level" of ceramic dust, according to a statement released by the Tate, which added that it had "been advised that this dust could be damaging to health following repeated inhalation over a long period of time".

The New York Times

But it reversed course days later when officials found that the movement of the crowds released a "greater than expected level" of ceramic dust, according to a statement released by the Tate, which added that it had "been advised that this dust could be damaging to health following repeated inhalation over a long period of time".

The New York Times - Arts

When I first wrote about social media anxiety disorder about those who can't stop looking and posting on the world's largest social network, I knew that this obsession could be damaging to real-life relationships.

Huffington Post

However, this fact should not deter us from a continued search in this direction because prenatal exposure to carcinogens as risk factors for childhood leukemia makes biologic sense, and even low levels during this period could be damaging.

Environmental Health Perspectives

It's hard not to think of the end of the previous episode here, when Raquel confided to Josh that she was overwhelmed by the stress of the Colton situation, and that she felt this internalised pain could be damaging to the baby.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The researchers warn that this airborne bacterial plume could be damaging to the environment and to human health.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing “this” with a more specific noun or noun phrase to enhance clarity. For example, instead of “This could be damaging,” try “The proposed budget cuts could be damaging.”

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on passive constructions like "this could be damaging" without specifying the agent or cause of the damage. Whenever possible, opt for active voice to strengthen the sentence and provide greater clarity. Instead of saying “This could be damaging,” try “The lack of funding could damage the project’s progress.”

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this could be damaging" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility of causing harm or negative impact. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show diverse application of this phrase in news, media, and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this could be damaging" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the possibility of negative consequences. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable in many contexts. Its neutral register allows for use across various domains, including news, science, and general discussions. While it is frequently found in News & Media, it is less common in formal business or academic settings, where more precise language might be preferred. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to ensure the referent of "this" is clearly established. The phrase may be replaced by alternatives, such as "this might be detrimental" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this might be detrimental

Replaces "could" with "might" and "damaging" with "detrimental", indicating potential harm.

this may have adverse effects

Uses "may" instead of "could" and "adverse effects" instead of "damaging", focusing on negative consequences.

this could prove harmful

Substitutes "prove harmful" for "be damaging", emphasizing the potential for harm to be demonstrated.

this could be injurious

Replaces "damaging" with "injurious", suggesting potential for physical or emotional harm.

this may create problems

Uses a simpler phrasing to indicate that issues might arise.

the consequences could be severe

Shifts the focus to the severity of the potential consequences.

this could have negative repercussions

Replaces "damaging" with "negative repercussions", highlighting the potential for widespread negative impact.

it could be destructive

Swaps out "this" for "it" and "damaging" for "destructive", indicating the potential for destruction.

this action may backfire

Focuses on the potential for a specific action to have unintended and negative consequences.

it runs the risk of causing damage

Explains clearly there is a risk of causing damage instead of using the QUERY.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this could be damaging" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can replace "this could be damaging" with phrases like "this may have adverse effects" or "this could prove harmful".

What are some less formal alternatives to "this could be damaging"?

For informal situations, consider alternatives such as "this may create problems" or "this action may backfire".

Is it always necessary to specify what "this" refers to when using "this could be damaging"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what "this" refers to significantly improves clarity. Without context, "this" can be ambiguous and weaken your statement.

What's the difference between "this could be damaging" and "the consequences could be severe"?

"This could be damaging" is a more general statement, while "the consequences could be severe" focuses specifically on the potential magnitude of the negative outcomes.