able to harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for causing damage or injury, whether physically, emotionally, or otherwise. Example: "Certain chemicals are able to harm the environment if not disposed of properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

No one would be able to harm us again.

The New Yorker

The North Vietnamese cannot harm us now and never will be able to harm us.

The New Yorker

They deliver a mild pinch at most, most researchers agree, and are not able to harm humans.

The New York Times

"Bush's time is up, and he was not able to harm even one centimeter of our land," the state-run news agency, IRNA, quoted Mr. Ahmadinejad as saying.

The New York Times

"Neither America nor its allies have been able to harm the leadership of Al Qaeda and Taliban, including Mullah Muhammad Omar and Sheik Osama bin Laden, may Allah protect them all," Mr. Zawahiri said.

The New York Times

Dragged from his car, driven to the city's outskirts and beaten up, government militia broke his fingers while shouting their purpose – that Mr Ferzat would not be able to harm Assad's reputation any more.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

A co-expression of cooperative and harming traits would be analogous to strong reciprocity, if bacteria were able to preferentially harm individuals that do not engage in the cooperative act.

Biology Letters

"While the importance of breastfeeding is generally understood amongst mothers, introduction of other foods too early in a child's life and challenges to women being able to breastfeed continue to harm children's health," she added.

Unicef

With globalization -- and increased flows of information, goods, money and people across borders -- countries are now better able to help, but also to harm, one another.

The New York Times - Books

"The situation as it is now, doctors participating in the system, more than being able to minimise harm for these patients, are enabling the system to continue, and lending it legitimacy".

The Guardian

By misrepresenting this evidence, the tobacco industry was able to delay harm to its business interests, the application states.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks or dangers, use "able to harm" to clearly communicate the capacity for causing damage or injury.

Common error

Avoid using "able to harm" in contexts where the potential for harm is minimal or exaggerated, as it can create unnecessary alarm or melodrama. Instead, opt for more nuanced language that accurately reflects the level of risk involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to harm" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the capacity or potential for causing harm. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Unknown

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to harm" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express the capacity for causing damage or injury. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it is also used in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the expression of potential harm, avoiding unnecessary drama. Alternatives such as "capable of inflicting injury" or ""liable to cause damage"" may be more appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively use "able to harm" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can inflict harm

Uses a more direct and forceful verb to describe the act of harming.

capable of inflicting injury

Focuses on the capacity to cause physical damage.

liable to cause damage

Emphasizes the probability or risk of causing damage.

apt to cause damage

Indicates a natural tendency or inclination to cause damage.

in a position to hurt

Highlights the state or condition that allows someone to cause harm.

has the potential to injure

Emphasizes the possibility of injury occurring.

has the capacity to wound

Specifically refers to the capability of causing emotional or physical wounds.

likely to be detrimental

Shifts focus to the adverse effects or consequences of the harm.

able to cause detriment

Uses a more formal word, "detriment", to describe the harm.

in a condition to impair

Highlights the state or condition that allows someone to cause impairment.

FAQs

What does "able to harm" mean?

The phrase "able to harm" means having the capacity or potential to cause physical, emotional, or other kinds of damage or injury to someone or something.

How can I use "able to harm" in a sentence?

You can use "able to harm" to describe something that has the potential to cause damage, such as "Certain chemicals are "liable to cause damage" to the environment if not disposed of properly".

Which is correct, "able to harm" or "capable of harm"?

Both "able to harm" and "capable of harm" are grammatically correct, but "able to harm" is more common. Consider alternatives like "can inflict harm" or "has the potential to injure" depending on the context.

What are some synonyms for "able to harm"?

Synonyms for "able to harm" include "capable of inflicting injury", ""liable to cause damage"", and "in a position to hurt".