avoid further harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid further harm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where you want to emphasize the importance of preventing additional damage or negative consequences. Example: "In order to protect the community, we must take immediate action to avoid further harm to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He called it "imperative" that the army "exercise the utmost restraint and discipline to avoid further harm to civilians or worsening the humanitarian situation".

The New York Times

"Tuck them like a football under your arm" with wings folded to avoid further harm, explained Mr. Burghoff, who is licensed in California to care for wounded wildlife.

The New York Times

International train services were suspended, as were domestic flights, but most international flights were operating normally as Greek air traffic controllers stayed on the job to avoid further harm to the crucial tourism sector, already suffering from previous walkouts.

The New York Times

While few are willing to say it yet, the solution is clear: the only way to avoid further harm to the global economy is for Germany to lead its fellow stable states out of the euro and into a new and stronger currency bloc.

The New York Times

According to Indonesia's Minister of Women's Empowerment, Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar, the high demand for FGC makes it hard to control the practice and therefore medicalization is necessary in order "to avoid further harm".

Huffington Post

A case could be made that early diagnosis of AKI may avoid further harm, that is, avoiding nephrotoxic drug administration or premature discharge from the emergency department or ICU.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Senior opposition figure Lim Kit Siang said Najib must immediately submit to justice to avoid further harming Malaysia's image.

The Guardian

As we fight for the lives and needs of marginalized communities, we must avoid further harming trans individuals and recognize intersectionality in our activism and feminism.

Huffington Post

In an attempt to combat this, Tchividjian recently co-authored The Child Safeguarding Policy Guide for Churches and Ministries, attempting to help church leaders address difficult questions about predators in their communities and how to avoid further harming someone who has already been traumatized.

Vice

In this context and for ethical reasons (avoiding further harm to severe burn victims) we analyzed the results of this open-label interventional study, performed some years ago at our institution, to contribute to this important discussion.

Critical Care

VASC and groin infections require rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment to avoid further, potentially devastating harm.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about safety protocols or ethical considerations, use "avoid further harm" to clearly state the intention of preventing additional negative consequences. For example, "The new guidelines were implemented to avoid further harm to patients."

Common error

While "avoid further harm" is appropriate for formal or professional writing, it can sound overly serious or clinical in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "prevent more problems" or "not make things worse" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid further harm" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It is often used to describe the intended outcome of an action or decision, aiming to prevent additional negative consequences. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid further harm" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express the purpose of preventing additional damage or negative consequences. It's commonly found in diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific literature, business guidelines, and wikis, and maintains a neutral to professional tone. Alternative phrases include "prevent further damage" or "minimize additional risk". When using the phrase, consider its formality and opt for more casual alternatives in informal settings. The phrase demonstrates a commitment to safety, ethics, and the prevention of negative outcomes across different sectors and situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent further damage

Replaces "avoid" with "prevent" offering a direct synonym.

prevent additional harm

Substitutes "further" with "additional", keeping the core meaning intact.

mitigate further damage

Uses "mitigate" to suggest lessening the impact rather than complete avoidance.

avert subsequent damage

Uses "avert" to signify turning away from future damage.

minimize additional risk

Focuses on reducing potential dangers instead of preventing harm itself.

halt further deterioration

Emphasizes stopping a decline or worsening condition.

forestall further complications

Highlights preempting potential negative outcomes.

preclude further escalation

Emphasizes preventing a situation from intensifying or becoming more severe.

circumvent future injury

Focuses on finding a way around potential harm or injury.

stem the tide of harm

Presents a metaphor for stopping a flow of negative effects.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid further harm" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid further harm" to indicate the prevention of additional damage or negative consequences. For example: "The organization implemented new safety protocols to "prevent further injuries" and "avoid further losses".

What are some alternatives to "avoid further harm"?

Some alternatives include "prevent additional damage", "mitigate potential risks", or "minimize negative impacts", depending on the specific context.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "avoid further harm"?

It's suitable in contexts where the focus is on preventing additional negative outcomes, especially in formal settings like reports, guidelines, and professional communications. For example, "to protect the environment" or "to ensure patient safety".

Is there a difference between "avoid further harm" and "prevent further harm"?

While similar, "avoid" suggests steering clear of something, whereas "prevent" implies taking action to stop something from happening. You could say that "prevent future injury" is a more proactive approach than simply avoiding it.