avoidable harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoidable harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing risks, safety, or ethical considerations where harm could be prevented. Example: "The company implemented new safety protocols to minimize avoidable harm to its employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is avoidable harm – in other words, irresponsible behaviour or even animal cruelty.

The Guardian

This is the most frequent cause of avoidable harm to patients in hospital.

The Guardian

Shouldn't a negligent physician be liable for the patient's avoidable harm and suffering?

The New York Times

Nothing that causes this degree of risk and avoidable harm can survive such a degree of scrutiny for ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every person, whether wife, husband, child or parent, who dies from avoidable harm is an unnecessary waste of life," he says.

The Guardian

Rather than looking at a sample of deaths to measure avoidable harm (as Hunt already intended), this would look "at every single death to learn lessons.

The Guardian

"A goal of zero avoidable harm is an ambitious target, but one we have an obligation to do everything we can to achieve".

The Guardian

That still didn't stop the Bush administration from rejecting the judge's carefully crafted plan to protect these animals from avoidable harm.

The New York Times

"We want to do everything we can to reduce avoidable harm in our hospitals, and make them as safe as they can possibly be," Hennessy said.

The Guardian

Processing the amount of opportunities there are in the NHS for TalkSafe to make a practical and measurable reduction in avoidable harm.

The Guardian

I was inspired by a patient safety champion who had struggled to reconcile the amazing work the NHS undertakes with the level of avoidable harm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing patient safety or ethical considerations, use "avoidable harm" to emphasize the responsibility to prevent negative outcomes. For example, "The hospital implemented new protocols to reduce "avoidable harm" to patients".

Common error

While "avoidable harm" is a valid term, avoid using it in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler terms like "unnecessary trouble" or "preventable problems" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoidable harm" functions as a noun phrase where "avoidable" modifies the noun "harm". It describes a type of harm that could have been prevented. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and the examples showcase its function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoidable harm" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe harm that could have been prevented. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. It commonly appears in news and scientific contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions concerning safety, responsibility, and ethics. Alternatives like "preventable harm" or "unnecessary injury" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations where preventability is a key aspect of the discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventable damage

Emphasizes the possibility of stopping the damage from occurring.

preventable harm

Direct synonym focusing on the preventability of the harm.

unnecessary injury

Highlights that the injury was not required or justified.

unnecessary damage

Highlights that the damage was not required or justified.

preventable suffering

Focuses on the ability to alleviate or stop the suffering.

avoidable suffering

Similar to "preventable suffering" but uses "avoidable" instead.

avertable damage

Focuses on the ability to avert or turn away the damage.

avertable harm

Highlights that harm can be averted or avoided.

preventable incident

Focuses on an event or occurrence that could have been prevented.

mitigable risk

Emphasizes that the risk can be lessened or reduced.

FAQs

How can I use "avoidable harm" in a sentence?

You can use "avoidable harm" to describe situations where harm could have been prevented with proper precautions or actions. For example, "The investigation revealed a series of errors that led to "avoidable harm" for the patient".

What is a good alternative to "avoidable harm"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "preventable harm", "unnecessary injury", or "averted harm".

What kind of harm does "avoidable harm" refer to?

"Avoidable harm" typically refers to harm, injury, or damage that could have been prevented through reasonable measures or actions. This can include physical, emotional, or financial harm.

Is "avoidable harm" the same as "unnecessary harm"?

While similar, "avoidable harm" emphasizes the preventability of the harm, whereas "unnecessary harm" emphasizes that the harm was not required or justified in the first place. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.