a significant harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or consequences of an action, event, or situation that causes considerable damage or distress. Example: "The new policy could lead to a significant harm to the environment if not properly managed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Similarly, he said, the Stolen Valor Act punishes only knowing falsehoods that result in "the misappropriation of the government-conferred honor and esteem," which he called "a real harm and a significant harm".

The New York Times

Repetitive movements and activities can pose a significant harm to physical well-being.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Since the benefit of organ donation is for other individuals, it would not usually be acceptable to inflict a significant harm on the patient in order to facilitate organ retrieval.

Bioethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The EROS Center, which monitors and archives images of the planet's land surface, doesn't operate any classified networks, a spokesperson for Interior's inspector general told TechCrunch in an email, ruling out any significant harm to national security.

TechCrunch

Using a risk adjuster with an AUROC of 0.70, approximately half of studies of n = 1,000 would report a statistically significant harm for a truly safe treatment due to residual confounding by indication in the low confounding scenarios, rising to nearly 90% if there was high confounding.

Critical Care

Nevertheless, Ms. Ramsay entertains a "just lie" theory, much like the just war theory, that sets certain criteria for official lying: It should avert a more significant harm than telling the truth, be used as a last resort, and have a reasonable chance of success.

The New York Times

In simulated studies of truly beneficial treatments (true OR of 0.6 or 0.8), studies could make one of three conclusions: the treatment had a statistically significant benefit, the treatment had no effect (false negative), or the treatment had a statistically significant harm (false harm).

Critical Care

7 While debate about the nature and extent of overdiagnosis continues, 8 there is a growing consensus that it is a source of significant harm for those who receive an unnecessary diagnosis, and a waste for the health system, with evidence most well advanced in the field of cancer screening.

BMJ Open

While Dr. Tai was paid a flat fee of $100 to read an echocardiogram, according to the indictment, he received $1,500 for the filing of a so-called green form, which was needed to support a claim for significant harm.

The New York Times - Health

If prosecutors had to explain why charges were not filed, such a statement could cause significant harm to a person's reputation with no readily available means to rebut any claimed misconduct.

The New York Times

The problem with this is that, unless it is a child protection issue and there is a genuine risk of significant harm to the child, this is not a reason in itself to refer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant harm", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the harm being discussed. Provide specific examples or details to illustrate the severity and impact of the harm.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant harm" when the harm is minor or trivial. Overstating the significance can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility. Use more appropriate terms to describe lesser degrees of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant harm" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies "harm". Ludwig examples show it describing tangible and intangible damages. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant harm" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations causing considerable damage or negative impact. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase appears in various contexts, from news and media to scientific articles, demonstrating its versatility and acceptability. While alternatives like "a major detriment" or "a considerable disadvantage" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the described harm is genuinely significant to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major detriment

Replaces "harm" with "detriment", indicating a disadvantage or cause of damage.

a considerable disadvantage

Uses "disadvantage" instead of "harm", focusing on a negative circumstance.

a severe disadvantage

Similar to "a considerable disadvantage" but emphasizing a stronger degree of negativity.

a substantial loss

Shifts the focus to the concept of "loss", emphasizing deprivation or reduction.

a serious setback

Implies a delay or impediment to progress, rather than direct damage.

a critical blow

Metaphorically represents a damaging event or action.

a notable injury

Specifically refers to physical or emotional damage.

a profound disruption

Emphasizes the disturbance or interruption caused by the harm.

a grave consequence

Highlights the result or effect of an action or situation, emphasizing its severity.

a marked impairment

Focuses on the reduction or weakening of function or ability.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant harm" to describe situations where substantial damage or negative impact occurs. For instance, "The oil spill caused "a significant harm" to the marine ecosystem".

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant harm"?

Alternatives include "a major detriment", "a considerable disadvantage", or "a substantial loss", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "significant harm" without the article "a"?

While "significant harm" can be used, using "a significant harm" is often more appropriate when referring to a specific instance or type of harm. The choice depends on the context and whether you're referring to a general concept or a particular occurrence.

What's the difference between "a significant harm" and "a minor harm"?

"A significant harm" implies substantial damage or negative consequences, while "a minor harm" suggests only slight or inconsequential damage. The choice between the two depends on the scale and impact of the harm being described.