appears unharmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears unharmed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that seems to be in good condition after a potentially harmful situation. Example: "After the accident, the driver stepped out of the car and appeared unharmed, much to everyone's relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The fetus appears unharmed, Waters said.

Huffington Post

The lightning strikes him instead, but he appears unharmed.

Wikipedia

Rex was taken to a hospital as a precaution, though authorities said she appears unharmed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He appeared unharmed.

The New York Times

They appeared unharmed but drawn in the video, sitting together against a wall.

The New York Times

Yet somehow, fast-growing corals in Bikini Atoll appear unharmed by the high levels of radiation found there.

Stanford University

All three of its accelerators appear unharmed, in part thanks to the facility's purpose-built tsunami defences, which held up.

The Economist

They appeared unharmed but drawn in the video, sitting together against a wall, and watched over by a militant with a black and white checkered scarf wrapped around his face.

The New York Times

A plea was offered to God: "If this man is innocent of the charge from which he seeks to clear himself, he will take this fiery iron in his hand and appear unharmed; if he is guilty, let your most just power declare that truth in him, so that wickedness may not conquer justice but falsehood always be overcome by the truth".

The New Yorker

Following the cobalt-60 theft in Mexico, an IAEA statement noted that, if unshielded, its gamma rays would probably kill people next to it in an hour or perhaps just minutes.In the event, five of the six people arrested for the theft on December 5th had avoided exposure and the sixth appeared unharmed.

The Economist

"They were cold and had ingested a lot of water, but otherwise appeared unharmed thankfully," a Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman told BBC News.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears unharmed" when you want to convey that someone or something seems to be in good condition after a potentially dangerous situation, but you cannot be completely certain without a thorough examination.

Common error

Avoid using "appears unharmed" as a definitive statement of safety. It's an observation of outward appearance, not a guarantee of internal or long-term well-being. Follow up with appropriate checks or investigations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears unharmed" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to provide a preliminary assessment of someone or something's condition after a potentially harmful event. Ludwig's examples show it is used in news reports and general descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears unharmed" is a grammatically correct descriptive phrase used to indicate that someone or something seems to have survived a potentially harmful situation without visible injury or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it is frequently found in news reports, wiki articles, and scientific publications. It is crucial to remember that "appears unharmed" is a preliminary assessment and does not guarantee the absence of hidden or delayed harm. Alternatives include "seems unscathed" and "looks fine". Using the phrase accurately helps convey reassurance while acknowledging the possibility of unseen issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems unscathed

Focuses on the absence of visible damage.

emerges without a scratch

Emphasizes the absence of even minor injuries.

seems to have survived intact

Highlights the survival aspect and the completeness of the subject.

shows no injury

Emphasizes the lack of physical harm.

is apparently safe

Highlights that safety is based on appearance rather than complete certainty.

exhibits no ill effects

Focuses on the absence of negative consequences or symptoms.

looks fine

A more informal and general assessment of well-being.

is outwardly unaffected

Highlights the superficial lack of impact.

presents without wounds

A more clinical or formal way of saying there are no injuries.

gives the impression of safety

Shifts the focus to the perception of being unharmed.

FAQs

How can I use "appears unharmed" in a sentence?

Use "appears unharmed" to describe someone or something that looks like it hasn't suffered any damage or injury. For example: "After the crash, the driver "appeared unharmed"."

What's a more formal way to say "appears unharmed"?

You could use phrases like "seems unscathed", "presents without wounds", or "exhibits no ill effects" for a more formal tone.

Is it okay to assume someone is completely safe if they "appear unharmed"?

No, it's best not to assume complete safety. "Appears unharmed" only refers to the outward appearance. Internal injuries or delayed effects might still be present. Always conduct thorough checks.

Which is more appropriate: "appears unharmed" or "is unharmed"?

"Appears unharmed" suggests a preliminary assessment based on observation, while "is unharmed" implies certainty. Use "appears unharmed" when you can't be completely sure.