at harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"at harm" is not correct English.
You may be thinking of the phrase "at harm's way," which means "in danger of being injured, destroyed, or lost." Example: "The firefighter went into the burning building, entering at harm's way in order to rescue the victims."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Subsequently in the intervention village drinkers whose Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) score placed them in either the harmful or dependent category were offered a single brief intervention directed at harm minimization and safer drinking patterns by the first author.

Alcohol and Alcoholism

When Vasconcelos began working at the clinic, more than twenty years ago, there was no attempt at harm reduction.

The New Yorker

Although the bulk of the TCA studies involve animals, a few human studies also hint at harm.

The New York Times

A conceptual framework will be introduced that looks at harm, risk and vulnerability at the three levels of individual, community and society.

International Journal of Drug Policy

"The irony in this case if you're looking at harm to the child, isn't it a little cruel keeping parents away from the child?" he said.

The Guardian

There's a big argument for what they do in some European countries: they try their best at prevention, but they also look at harm reduction.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But notably, the president did not ask for changes to the 2008 law to be part of the emergency supplemental he requested to deal with the border crisis, suggesting that the administration doesn't want to hastily redraw legislation that was passed to protect at-harm minors.

Huffington Post

Generally speaking, however, bullying is more effective at harming victims than aiding aggressors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Next Sunday afternoon at Harms, Verdi is to be memorialized with "Rigoletto" by the National Lyric Opera.

The New York Times

As a result, people often take precautionary measures to circumvent evil attempts at harming them.

Britannica

Under federal law, the term "weapon of mass destruction" refers to virtually any explosive charge aimed at harming people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "at harm" appears in various sources, consider replacing it with more grammatically sound alternatives like "in harm's way" or "at risk" for improved clarity and correctness in your writing. Using alternatives enhances the overall professionalism of your message.

Common error

A common error is assuming that frequent usage equates to grammatical correctness. Although "at harm" occurs in numerous publications, it's essential to recognize that its structure is flawed. Relying solely on frequency can lead to perpetuating errors in your writing. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at harm" functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to indicate a state of being in danger or at risk. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Despite its presence in various sources, including those listed by Ludwig, more accurate alternatives should be considered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at harm" appears across various sources, including news, science, and online wikis, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI clearly indicates that "at harm" is not proper English, suggesting alternatives such as "in harm's way" or "at risk". Despite its common usage, relying on grammatically sound options is advisable, particularly in formal writing. Therefore, when aiming to convey danger or vulnerability, prioritize accuracy and clarity by choosing established idioms over the flawed "at harm".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in harm's way

More grammatically correct way to say "at harm", emphasizes the location or path of danger.

in danger

Indicates a state of being exposed to potential harm or risk, focusing on the condition of being threatened.

at risk

Implies a higher probability of experiencing harm or negative outcomes, highlighting vulnerability.

in jeopardy

Suggests a situation where something valuable is threatened with loss or damage, emphasizing precariousness.

under threat

Emphasizes the active presence of a potential danger or source of harm, focusing on the menacing aspect.

vulnerable

Highlights a state of weakness or susceptibility to harm, emphasizing the lack of protection.

exposed

Indicates a lack of cover or protection from potential harm, focusing on the openness to danger.

susceptible

Implies a predisposition to being affected negatively by something, emphasizing sensitivity to harm.

at hazard

Expresses the presence of a danger or risk, often implying unpredictability or chance.

endangered

Specifically suggests a risk of extinction or severe decline, often used in environmental contexts.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "at harm"?

The grammatically correct alternatives include "in harm's way" or "at risk". These options provide clearer and more accurate expressions for indicating potential danger.

Is "at harm" grammatically correct?

No, "at harm" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate phrasing would be "in harm's way" or using the phrase "at risk".

When should I use "in harm's way" instead of "at harm"?

Always use "in harm's way" instead of "at harm". The former is a standard idiom that correctly conveys the idea of being in a dangerous situation, while the latter is not grammatically recognized.

Are there other phrases similar to "at harm" that I can use?

Yes, other similar phrases include "in danger", "under threat", or "vulnerable". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.