Mitigate harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mitigate harm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to reducing or preventing harm, harm that has already been done, or harm that is likely to be done. Example sentence: We need to take steps to mitigate the harm caused by this incident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

So one way to see the drive for austerity is as an application of a sort of reverse Hippocratic oath: "First, do nothing to mitigate harm".

The New York Times

Changes in precipitation regimes and extreme events can cause ecosystem transitions, increase transport of nutrients and pollutants to downstream ecosystems, and overwhelm the ability of natural systems to mitigate harm to people from these events.

The New York Times

But the judge noted that the Navy has developed procedures to mitigate harm to the whales, including requiring ships to slow down during calving season and, when practical, to travel near critical habitat only during daylight and when visibility is good.

The New York Times

What are the existing processes to prevent and mitigate harm to civilians?

Huffington Post

Eating them would seem not only to mitigate harm, but to actively improve the "invaded" ecosystem.

Huffington Post

One way to mitigate harm from climate change is climate adaptation, finding creative ways to work within this new climate.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Prior restraints are not meant to mitigate harms that have already occurred," the dissenting judges said.

The New York Times

In other words, reducing funding for prevention and resilience actions that can mitigate harms to people and property to better withstand the impact of hurricanes and coastal storms.

Huffington Post

The evidence base for interventions to mitigate harms and maximize benefit among those at risk from polypharmacy is limited.

Drugs and Aging

Efforts to improve awareness among the young of the ill effects of heavy drinking, and to mitigate harms associated with heavy drinking and intoxication also need to be continued.

BMC Public Health

The overarching concern of public health with populations and the total system of health necessitates a consideration of the political duties which conjoin communities, and an evaluation of how much power the State should wield in order to maximise health benefits and mitigate harms within populations (Coggon, 2012).

Critical Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies to address potential problems, use "mitigate harm" to emphasize proactive steps to minimize negative outcomes.

Common error

While "mitigate harm" implies reducing or lessening negative effects, it does not guarantee complete removal. Ensure that your writing reflects realistic expectations about the extent of damage control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mitigate harm" functions as a verb + noun phrase, where "mitigate" is the verb indicating the action of lessening or reducing, and "harm" is the noun representing the negative impact being addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mitigate harm" is a useful expression for describing efforts to reduce or lessen negative impacts. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. While not as common as other similar phrases, "mitigate harm" carries a professional tone, frequently appearing in science, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests reducing harm, not necessarily eliminating it entirely. Consider alternatives like "reduce damage" or "lessen impact" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce damage

Focuses on lessening existing damage rather than preventing it.

alleviate suffering

Specifically addresses the reduction of pain or distress.

lessen impact

Emphasizes reducing the overall effect of something.

ameliorate adverse effects

Highlights improving or making negative effects more tolerable.

weaken negative consequences

Focuses on diminishing the severity of results.

curtail detriments

Suggests limiting or cutting back on harmful aspects.

moderate injury

Implies keeping physical or emotional wounds within bounds.

temper hardship

Involves softening or balancing difficulties.

blunt negativity

Refers to making something negative less intense or sharp.

de-escalate peril

Specifically suggests reducing imminent danger or threat.

FAQs

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

You can use "mitigate harm" to describe actions taken to reduce the negative effects of something. For instance, "The company implemented new safety protocols to "mitigate harm" to its employees".

What are some alternatives to saying "mitigate harm"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reduce damage", "lessen impact", or "alleviate suffering".

Is it correct to say "mitigate potential harm"?

Yes, it is correct. "Mitigate potential harm" is often used to describe proactive measures taken to reduce possible future negative consequences.

What's the difference between "mitigate harm" and "prevent harm"?

"Prevent harm" means stopping harm from happening at all, while ""mitigate harm"" means reducing the severity or impact of harm that has already occurred or is likely to occur.