a lot of harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a lot of harm' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the potential or actual damage that something has caused. For example: The natural disaster caused a lot of harm to the local community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's a lot of harm been done.

The Guardian

"But it can cause a lot of harm".

The New York Times

But his story is doing us a lot of harm".

The New York Times

You can do a lot of harm in this situation".

The New York Times

The pope's "lack of clarity about the matter has certainly done a lot of harm".

Independent

Panic about this will do no good, and could do a lot of harm.

The Economist

And here, a lot of harm was being done to a lot of people".

The New York Times

The free money did a lot of harm to the young.

The New York Times

But in the lawless forests of Congo even ragtag rebels can do a lot of harm.

The Economist

In some ways, I'll say integration did a lot of harm".

The New York Times

In the long run, it can also do us a lot of harm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lot of harm", consider specifying the type of harm caused for clarity and impact. For example, instead of stating "the policy caused a lot of harm", specify "the policy caused a lot of economic harm to small businesses".

Common error

While "a lot of harm" is widely understood, it may lack the precision required for formal or academic writing. In such cases, replace it with more specific and impactful synonyms such as "significant damage", "substantial detriment", or "grave consequences".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of harm" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the extent of damage or injury inflicted, acting as the object of a verb. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lot of harm" is a versatile phrase used to describe significant damage or injury. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While appropriate in many contexts, more precise language may be preferred in formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources and can effectively communicate the extent of negative consequences. When crafting your message, consider the specific type of harm to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant damage

Replaces "a lot of" with "significant" to emphasize the extent of the damage.

extensive damage

Focuses on the broad scope of the harm caused.

considerable injury

Substitutes "harm" with "injury", implying physical or emotional damage.

substantial detriment

Replaces with more formal terms for a stronger, negative impact.

major destruction

Emphasizes the act of devastating or ruining something.

serious consequences

Shifts the focus to the repercussions or outcomes of the harm.

severe repercussions

Focuses on the serious and far-reaching negative effects.

grave consequences

Highlights the serious and concerning nature of the harm's outcomes.

profound impact

Highlights the deep and lasting effect of the harm.

catastrophic effects

Highlights the disastrous and widespread nature of the harm.

FAQs

How can I use "a lot of harm" in a sentence?

You can use "a lot of harm" to describe the potential or actual damage that something has caused. For example: "The oil spill caused "a lot of harm" to the marine ecosystem".

What are some alternatives to saying "a lot of harm"?

You can use alternatives like "significant damage", "considerable injury", or "substantial detriment" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a lot of harm" or "much harm"?

"A lot of harm" is generally more common and informal than "much harm". While both are grammatically correct, "a lot of harm" is often preferred in everyday conversation and writing.

What's the difference between "a lot of harm" and "some harm"?

"A lot of harm" implies a significant degree of damage or injury, while "some harm" indicates a lesser extent. The choice depends on the severity of the impact you want to convey.