a harmful force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a harmful force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a negative impact or effect on a person, group, or situation. Example: "The spread of misinformation can act as a harmful force in society, leading to confusion and distrust among the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Labor unions are now seeking to organize immigrants after decades of shunning them as a harmful force that pulled down wages.

The New York Times

The violent dogmatism witnessed by Spinoza is exactly the sort of thing emphasised by modern atheists who claim, like Russell, that religion is a harmful force in the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

There has been a growing critique of the often superficial and un-reflexive way in which social scientists have depicted neo-liberalism as a harmful force at the heart of most of the political and economic transformations that have taken place in the last few decades (for example, Clarke, 2008; Collier, 2009; Ferguson, 2009; Mirowski and Plehwe, 2009; Collier, 2011).

BioSocieties

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"When a police officer uses unreasonable force, it has a harmful effect on not only the victims, but also the public, who lose faith and confidence in law enforcement," Fardon said.

Huffington Post

"It could have a harmful effect on our economy".

The New York Times

This could potentially have a harmful effect.

WikiHow

In the first pathway by improving knee joint stability, abnormal loading and harmful forces generated during walking may be reduced; helping to protect and prevent further cartilage degeneration [ 3, 30].

BMC Geriatrics

Because you simply do not stop fighting against what you believe to be a harmful and oppressive force simply because you lack the religious faith to do so.

Huffington Post

Corey Lewandowski, Trump's campaign manager, was just charged with battery (using physical force in a harmful, offensive, or sexual way) after roughly handling a Breitbart reporter in the aftermath of his infamous "Trump steaks" press conference.

Huffington Post

For instance, a harmful turf battle endures between Special Operations forces and C.I.A. paramilitary units.

The New York Times

Not so in Guatemala, where the church is a powerful and harmful political force.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a harmful force", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being harmed and the nature of the harm. Specificity strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a harmful force" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. Reserve this phrase for situations where the negative impact is genuinely significant and consequential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a harmful force" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or direct object in a sentence. It identifies something as an agent or source of harm. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a harmful force" is a noun phrase used to describe something that exerts a significantly negative and damaging influence. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across diverse contexts. While relatively rare in frequency, its impact lies in emphasizing the destructive nature of a subject. Consider alternatives like ""a detrimental influence"" or ""a damaging power"" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of the potential for overuse and reserve this phrase for contexts where the harm is genuinely significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a detrimental influence

Focuses on the negative impact of the influence, suggesting a gradual or subtle harm.

a damaging power

Highlights the destructive aspect of the power, implying a significant and immediate harm.

a destructive element

Emphasizes the role of the element in causing ruin or devastation.

a negative influence

A broader term that suggests an adverse effect without specifying the degree of harm.

a malignant presence

Implies a pervasive and insidious harm, suggesting a more sinister nature.

a corrupting influence

Focuses on the aspect of moral decay and degradation.

a toxic effect

Highlights the poisonous or dangerous nature of the effect.

a counterproductive action

Suggests that the action hinders progress or achieves the opposite of the intended outcome.

an adverse impact

A more neutral term suggesting a negative consequence or effect.

an impediment to progress

Focuses on the obstacle that hinders advancement or development.

FAQs

How can I use "a harmful force" in a sentence?

Use "a harmful force" to describe something that has a significantly negative impact or effect. For example, "Misinformation can be "a harmful force" in society".

What are some alternatives to "a harmful force"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a detrimental influence", "a damaging power", or "a destructive element".

When is it appropriate to use "a harmful force" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a harmful force" when you want to emphasize the negative and damaging impact of something, especially when that impact is considerable and widespread. Avoid using it for trivial matters.

What is the difference between "a harmful force" and "a negative influence"?

"A harmful force" suggests a more potent and destructive effect compared to "a negative influence", which can be a milder and more general term for something with adverse effects.