Which word should be used?

[Dexter]

Hi everyone

Which one would be the best answer for filling the gap?
I think both "hurt" and "injure" can be correct. But the key says "hurt" is the answer. Could anyone please tell me why "injure" can't be used in this sentence?

The dog's very friendly. It won't ____ you.
1. ache
2. injure
3. damage
4. hurt


Thanks in advance

[MissLT]

The dictionary classifies injure as more likely a transitive verb. You know what transitive verb requires, right?

[Janette]

So... a transitive verb requires an actor and an object to receive the action.


IT (the dog, actor) won't injure YOU (the receiver/object).


IT won't hurt YOU (same).

American Heritage Dictionary even writes:

in·jure (ĭn'jər) tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures

To cause physical harm to; hurt.

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In America you hear "It won't hurt you." I have never heard "It won't injure you."

I think the difference is just a matter of common use and not a rule. It seems people only use injure to talk about things in a reflexive way such as, "I injured my ankle when I fell off my bike." Obviously the person did not do harm to his own body (the fall off the bike was the cause of the injury) but this is how I hear it used.

So "hurt" is probably "best" -- but I do not see why injure or damage could not also be used and technically be correct :(

[riverclarin]

In Ireland both would be seen as correct.

[Dexter]

So the preference of "hurt" is only because it's more common, right? I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for your answers and explanations!