which would hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which would hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a potential action or situation that may cause pain or discomfort. Example: "I decided not to confront him about the issue, as I knew it would hurt his feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Hard to say which would hurt worse).

The New Yorker

Threats of an oil embargo, which would hurt, appear to have been quietly shelved.

The Economist

Each new quarrel gives customers a reason to pull the plug, which would hurt both sides.

The New York Times

Which would hurt Houston's chances and, more importantly, make these games tougher to watch.

The Guardian - Sport

But few Europeans favour economic sanctions, such as cutting aid or trade credits, which would hurt ordinary Cubans.

The Economist

Generic versions of Vancocin could be approved in the coming year, which would hurt sales of Dificid.

The New York Times - Health

Palm said that voters have historically shown prejudice against teams that did not win their conference, which would hurt Auburn.

The New York Times

He gave strong support for nuclear power and coal, both of which would hurt Enron's gas operations.

The Economist

This prevented the variables from being overwritten while in use by a different task, which would hurt the correctness of the program execution.

Cornell University

He does not anticipate rising interest rates — which would hurt existing bond holders — for a couple of years.

The New York Times

A continued decline in the currency would give the E.C.B. slightly more room to increase interest rates without encouraging the euro to rise, which would hurt exports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which would hurt" to clearly indicate a potential negative consequence or impact of a decision or action. Ensure the context provides clarity on what is being negatively affected and why.

Common error

Ensure that the 'which' clearly refers to a specific action or event. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Instead of saying 'The policy change, which would hurt,' specify 'The policy change, which would hurt small businesses,' for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which would hurt" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional information about a preceding noun or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a potential negative outcome or consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which would hurt" is a common and grammatically correct way to express potential negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to warn or express concern about a possible adverse impact and is found across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the 'which' clearly refers to a specific action or event to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "that could be detrimental" for more formal settings or when emphasizing the damaging aspect. While versatile, clarity in reference is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which might be damaging

Replaces "hurt" with "damaging", focusing on the potential for damage.

that may cause harm

Uses "cause harm" to highlight the infliction of harm.

that could be detrimental

Uses "detrimental" to emphasize the damaging aspect.

which could prove disadvantageous

Employs "disadvantageous" to underscore the unfavorable outcome.

that could adversely affect

Highlights the negative impact or influence.

that may have negative repercussions

Focuses on the "negative repercussions" or consequences.

which may be prejudicial

Uses "prejudicial" to suggest bias or harm.

that could undermine

Emphasizes weakening or diminishing effect.

that threatens to damage

Emphasizes a looming threat of damage.

which has the potential to injure

Specifies "injure" for a more direct impact.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which would hurt" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "that could be detrimental", "which might be damaging", or "that may cause harm" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that would hurt" or "which would hurt"?

Both "that would hurt" and "which would hurt" are grammatically correct. "Which" introduces non-restrictive clauses, providing additional information, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence's meaning. The choice depends on whether the clause is essential or additional.

What does "which would hurt" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "which would hurt" implies that a specific action, decision, or situation is likely to have a negative impact or cause harm. It highlights the potential for adverse consequences.

Are there contexts where using "which would harm" is preferable to "which would hurt"?

Yes, "which would harm" may be preferable in more formal or serious contexts, such as legal or scientific writing, where "harm" carries a more severe connotation than "hurt". For less formal situations, "which would hurt" is perfectly acceptable.