as harmful as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as harmful as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the harmfulness of two different things or actions. Example: "The pollution from the factory is as harmful as the waste dumped into the river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such a generalisation is as harmful as it is ignorant.

Independent

No tobacco is safe and gram for gram it is as harmful as ordinary cigarettes.

The Guardian

As harmful as early misconceptions were, they did promote a growing awareness of the condition.

The New Yorker

But executives believed such an admission would be as harmful as an indictment or guilty plea.

The New York Times

Being lonely was as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic.

The Guardian

In diplomacy, indecision can be as harmful as the final decision taken.

The Economist

Still, this is not as harmful as street-level lawlessness.Things may change as the slump continues.

The Economist

It seems fairly unlikely they'll be shown to be as harmful as tobacco.

Independent

He refused to defend Nutt, and asserted his conviction that ecstasy was as harmful as heroin and crack cocaine.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was as harmful as not exercising and twice as bad for the health as being obese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ecstasy can certainly be harmful; the question is, is it really as harmful as crack and heroin?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two potentially harmful things, use "as harmful as" to clearly establish their equivalent level of detriment. This provides a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "as harmful as" to exaggerate the danger of something without sufficient evidence. Ensure your comparison is based on factual information to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as harmful as" functions as a comparative structure, specifically to equate the level of harm between two distinct subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as harmful as" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for comparing the equivalent levels of detriment between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, appearing across news media, scientific literature, and general discourse. While alternatives like "equally damaging as" or "just as detrimental as" offer similar meanings, "as harmful as" remains a clear and effective way to express comparable negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as damaging as

Focuses more directly on the damage caused, which might be physical or tangible.

as detrimental as

Implies a more significant and long-lasting negative impact.

as destructive as

Suggests a forceful and ruinous impact.

as injurious as

Highlights the harm or injury caused, often in a legal or medical context.

as deleterious as

Indicates a subtly harmful or corrupting influence.

equally harmful to

Emphasizes the equality in the level of harm.

just as detrimental to

Emphasizes that two things are exactly the same in terms of their negative impact.

comparably damaging to

Highlights that something is nearly as damaging to another thing, but doesn't guarantee equality in the intensity.

as negative as

A more general term that implies a negative impact without specifying the type of harm.

similarly detrimental to

Emphasizes the detrimental impacts are close in likeness.

FAQs

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

Use "as harmful as" to compare the degree of damage or negativity between two subjects. For example, "Lying to your friends is "as harmful as" betraying their trust."

What are some alternatives to "as harmful as"?

You can use alternatives such as "equally damaging as", "just as detrimental as", or "comparably damaging to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "as harmful as" or "more harmful than"?

The choice depends on whether you want to show equivalence or disparity in harm. "As harmful as" indicates equal levels of harm, while "more harmful than" suggests one thing is worse than the other.

Can "as harmful as" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "as harmful as" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its clarity and straightforwardness make it versatile for various contexts.