would be damaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be damaging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical situation where something could cause harm or negative effects. Example: "If we proceed with this plan, it would be damaging to our reputation in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That would be badly damaging for this country and it would be damaging for the world".

Huffington Post

This would be damaging for any president.

The Economist

Now that would be damaging to Saddam".

The New York Times - Magazine

"If it doesn't get resolved quickly, it would be damaging.

The New York Times

"But my feeling is that they are misguided in their view that this would be damaging.

The New York Times - Health

Leaving the European Union would be damaging to the UK's universities, higher education chiefs have warned.

Independent

As a family therapist, I knew that it would be damaging if people remained quiet.

The New York Times

Any or all of these explanations would be damaging to the reputation of the entire organization.

The New York Times

"The impact of such a policy would be damaging for the country's long term prosperity and for our customers".

Independent

All agree that a second failure would be damaging for the EU and might be fatal for the constitution.

The Economist

Such an outcome undoubtedly would be damaging to Mr. Romney, and would make his nomination less assured.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "would be damaging" with synonyms like "detrimental" or "harmful" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement. This prevents monotony and adds nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "would be damaging". Active voice often makes your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The policy would be damaging to the economy", consider "The policy would damage the economy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be damaging" functions as a predicative adjective phrase within a sentence. It typically follows a linking verb (such as 'be') to describe a subject and indicate a potential negative consequence or harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be damaging" is a common and grammatically correct way to express potential harm or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI states, it’s a valid and usable phrase in English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to warn or caution against actions that could lead to adverse outcomes. To enhance writing, vary your language by using synonyms such as "could be harmful" or "might prove detrimental", and avoid overusing passive voice for a more direct and impactful style. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "would be damaging" to convey your message with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could prove detrimental

Emphasizes a potential negative impact or disadvantage.

might be harmful

Suggests a possibility of causing harm or injury.

could have adverse effects

Focuses on the potential for unfavorable or negative consequences.

may cause deterioration

Highlights a potential decline in quality or condition.

might lead to impairment

Indicates a possible reduction in function or ability.

could be counterproductive

Suggests the action could have the opposite of the intended effect.

may prove unfavorable

Highlights the potential for an undesirable outcome.

could undermine

Suggests a weakening of something, like trust or stability.

might jeopardize

Emphasizes the risk involved, potentially endangering something.

could be prejudicial

Highlights the potential for bias or unfairness.

FAQs

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

The phrase "would be damaging" is used to describe a hypothetical situation where something could cause harm. For example: "Implementing that policy "would be damaging" to the environment."

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

You can use alternatives like "could be harmful", "might be detrimental", or "could have adverse effects" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "would be damaging" or "would be damaged"?

"Would be damaging" describes something that causes damage, while "would be damaged" describes something that receives damage. For example, "The new policy would be damaging" versus "The environment would be damaged by the new policy".

What's the difference between "would be damaging" and "could be damaging"?

"Would be damaging" implies a higher degree of certainty or probability compared to "could be damaging". "Would" suggests a more definite outcome, while "could" indicates a possibility.