this will hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this will hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are warning someone that an action or situation may cause pain or discomfort, either physically or emotionally. Example: "Before we begin the procedure, I must warn you that this will hurt a little."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will hurt Obama.

The New York Times

This will hurt people across the country.

The Guardian

"This will hurt them the most.

The New York Times

Analysts fear this will hurt profit margins.

The Guardian - Business

this will hurt U.S. workers indirectly in other sectors".

The New York Times

"This will hurt for a long time," said the Leicester fly-half.

Independent

With financial services a key contributor to recent economic growth, this will hurt.

The Economist

This will hurt growth unless investors' fears are calmed and the rate increases can be reversed.

The Economist

Rolls-Royce has said that this will hurt its full-year profit.

The New York Times

Based on the reaction from the tobacco industry, this will hurt.

The New York Times

What no one can tell you for certain is whether this will hurt him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this will hurt", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what will experience the negative impact. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "this will hurt" without specifying what or whom it will affect. Vague statements can leave your audience confused and diminish the statement's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this will hurt" functions as a declarative statement expressing a prediction of future negative impact. Ludwig provides examples showing this usage across diverse contexts, confirming its established role in conveying potential harm or discomfort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this will hurt" is a versatile and common expression used to predict negative outcomes. As supported by Ludwig, it functions as a declarative statement intended to warn about potential physical or emotional harm. While generally neutral in register, the choice of more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain professional contexts. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread applicability, particularly in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this will be detrimental

Replaces "hurt" with a more formal and stronger term, "detrimental", suggesting significant harm.

this will have adverse effects

Focuses on the negative consequences or impacts of something, similar to causing "hurt".

this will have repercussions

Highlights that the action will create consequences, typically undesirable.

this will cause damage

Highlights the damaging aspect of something, implying harm or injury.

this will prove costly

Emphasizes the high cost or price that will need to be paid as a consequence.

this will be disadvantageous

Indicates that something will create an unfavorable situation or put someone at a disadvantage.

this will be problematic

Focuses on the problems the action will cause.

this will sting

Uses a more figurative and emotional term, "sting", to indicate a sharp or painful feeling.

this will backfire

Implies that an action will have the opposite of the intended effect, resulting in harm or failure.

this will come back to haunt

Suggests that something will cause future problems or distress.

FAQs

How can I use "this will hurt" in a sentence?

You can use "this will hurt" to warn about potential negative consequences, either physical or emotional. For example, "Cutting funding for education this will hurt /s/this+will+hurt the future workforce".

What are some alternative ways to say "this will hurt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "this will be detrimental", "this will have adverse effects", or "this will cause damage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "this will hurt" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this will hurt" might be considered too informal for some academic or professional contexts. In such cases, consider using a more formal alternative like "this will be disadvantageous".

What's the difference between "this will hurt" and "this might hurt"?

"This will hurt" implies a higher degree of certainty regarding the negative impact. "This might hurt" suggests a possibility but not a guarantee. For instance, "If you don't study, this will hurt /s/this+will+hurt your grades" is more definitive than "If you don't study, this might hurt your grades".