would be crippling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be crippling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that would cause significant harm or difficulty if it were to occur. Example: "If the new regulations are implemented, it would be crippling for small businesses struggling to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Yet too much would be crippling.

The Economist

The possible consequences of such a development would be crippling".

The Guardian - Opinion

But losing Williams, one of the top point guards in the league, would be crippling.

The New York Times - Sports

If the Israelis decide to [withhold those tax revenues], that would be crippling".

The New Yorker

When the ban on sweets was imposed last spring, some principals said the financial loss would be crippling.

The New York Times

But the money has been raised, the contracts signed and the cost of pulling out would be crippling.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

As UFC is a sport that features young rising stars in the spotlight for a brief period of time, McGregor's retirement would not be crippling, but it would leave the men's league without one of their most entertaining stars.

The Washington Post

Eradicating polio Without people like Falaknaz, polio would still be crippling 350,000 children a year.

Unicef

At five billion dollars a year for ten years, even a fifty-billion-dollar fine wouldn't necessarily be crippling.

The New Yorker

His death, if true, would be a crippling blow to Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

"Allowing the Ex-Im Bank to expire would be a crippling blow to our export economy," Ms. Cantwell said Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be crippling" to describe situations where the consequences are severe and long-lasting, affecting stability and functionality. For less severe impacts, consider alternatives like "would be harmful" or "would be problematic".

Common error

Avoid using "would be crippling" when the potential consequences are merely inconvenient or undesirable. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely threaten viability or functionality. Using the phrase for minor issues weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be crippling" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a conditional statement about a potential outcome. It indicates that a particular event or situation, if it were to occur, would have a severely damaging or debilitating effect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be crippling" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe potentially devastating outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. When writing, use it to emphasize significant, long-lasting negative impacts, but avoid overuse in less critical situations. Consider alternatives like "would be devastating" or "would be detrimental" for varied emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be devastating

Emphasizes the destructive and emotionally damaging impact.

would be ruinous

Highlights the potential for complete destruction or failure.

would be catastrophic

Stresses the sudden and widespread disaster that could result.

would be debilitating

Focuses on the weakening or disabling effect.

would be detrimental

Indicates a harmful and adverse impact.

would be severely damaging

Highlights the significant harm that could occur.

would have grave consequences

Emphasizes the serious and far-reaching effects.

would be a major setback

Indicates a significant delay or hindrance to progress.

would be a fatal blow

Suggests an action that would cause something to end or fail completely.

would spell disaster

Implies that a particular action or event will inevitably lead to failure or ruin.

FAQs

How can I use "would be crippling" in a sentence?

Use "would be crippling" to describe scenarios where the outcome would cause significant damage or difficulty. For example, "A prolonged strike "would be crippling" to the local economy".

What can I say instead of "would be crippling"?

You can use alternatives like "would be devastating", "would be ruinous", or "would be catastrophic" depending on the specific context and the level of impact you want to convey.

What's the difference between "would be crippling" and "would be harmful"?

"Would be crippling" suggests a severe and debilitating impact, whereas "would be harmful" indicates a less intense negative effect. The choice depends on the severity of the potential consequences.

Is "would be crippling" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "would be crippling" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing serious consequences in business, academic, or news contexts. However, consider the specific audience and purpose to ensure it aligns with the overall tone. Alternatives like "would be detrimental" may be preferred in certain situations.