Inadvertent harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Inadvertent harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unintentional damage or injury caused by an action or decision. Example: "The new policy led to inadvertent harm to the community, as many residents were affected without the intention of the lawmakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

" 'I was only testing security' is not a valid defense," since it still involves illegal computer trespassing and can cause inadvertent harm.

The New York Times

"It's really a story about inadvertent harm done," Mr. Martin said, "although I believe each of them is ultimately enriched by what happens".

The New York Times - Books

Even a good shaman may do inadvertent harm, and a wicked shaman, who is in contact with the spirits of the Lower World, is very alarming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But this is a case where an enterprise decided the risks of convenience outweighed the rewards, and DoD leadership took action to keep its employees from causing inadvertent harm to the military's network.

Harvard Business Review

Funders must be aware of 'the big picture': As a grant maker, the key is to make sure your successes can be picked up and replicated or scaled up by bigger funders, while also following a 'do no inadvertent harm' principle.

The Guardian

Physicians and healthcare administrators are a diverse group with different levels of interest in technology, but all need to have a basic understanding of the digital economy to avoid causing inadvertent harm to patients.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

However, there's a growing body of scholarship demonstrating that the potential inadvertent harms of short-term international volunteering often outweigh the positives.

HuffPost

Or, to continue the military metaphor -- we have at times failed to recognize the enemy disguised as a friend, and at times have perpetrated the inadvertent harms of "friendly fire".

Huffington Post

The complications associated with health care in low and middle income countries mean that voluntourists and medical tourists must prepare for their travel in order to avoid inadvertent harms to others.

Globalization and Health

Rather it entails checking inappropriate resentment, anger, and revenge, being aware when what appears to be a moral harm is in fact an inadvertent injury whose putative moral injustice is inflated by our own partiality, and treating others who harm us with the same compassion that we hold all humans due good-will should be treated.

SEP

The WHO states that communication failures are the leading cause of inadvertent patient harm.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inadvertent harm", ensure the context clearly establishes the lack of intention behind the harmful action. This avoids any implication of malice or negligence.

Common error

Avoid using "inadvertent harm" when there's evidence of negligence or deliberate action. Using it incorrectly can downplay the severity of the situation and misrepresent the facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadvertent harm" functions as a noun phrase typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes damage or injury that occurs unintentionally. The examples show it being used in contexts ranging from cybersecurity to healthcare.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inadvertent harm" is a useful tool for describing unintentional damage or injury. As noted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it is commonly used across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using "inadvertent harm", it's important to ensure that the context clearly indicates the lack of intent to cause harm, differentiating it from negligence or malicious actions. Related phrases like "unintentional damage" and "accidental injury" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts, and prevent writers from falling in assuming intent where none exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inadvertent damage

Synonymous, focuses on the damage that happens without intention.

Unintentional damage

Focuses on the damaging aspect while emphasizing the lack of intent.

Unforeseen harm

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the harm.

Accidental injury

Highlights the accidental nature of a physical or emotional injury.

Unintended consequences

Shifts the focus to the results of an action rather than the harm itself.

Inadvertently inflicted damage

Emphasizes the action of inflicting harm without intending to.

Collateral damage

Implies that the harm was unavoidable as a side effect of another action.

Unwittingly caused harm

Highlights the lack of awareness of the person causing the harm.

Negligent harm

Suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to harm.

Involuntary damage

Stresses the lack of control or intent in the damaging action.

FAQs

How can I use "inadvertent harm" in a sentence?

Use "inadvertent harm" to describe situations where damage or injury occurs unintentionally as a result of an action or decision. For example, "The new policy led to "inadvertent harm" to the community".

What can I say instead of "inadvertent harm"?

Alternatives to "inadvertent harm" include "unintentional damage", "accidental injury", or "unintended consequences", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "inadvertent" to describe harm?

Yes, "inadvertent" accurately describes harm that occurs unintentionally or without malice. It's commonly used in legal, medical, and general contexts.

What's the difference between "inadvertent harm" and "negligent harm"?

"Inadvertent harm" implies a lack of intention or awareness, while "negligent harm" suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to harm that could have been prevented.