be harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be harmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing potential injury, damage, or negative consequences to someone or something. Example: "If the safety protocols are not followed, individuals may be harmed during the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How can you be harmed by it?

The Guardian - Tech

Instead, they can only be harmed.

The New York Times

Who is going to be harmed?

The Guardian - Books

How might both parties be harmed?

The New York Times

Who might be harmed by the plastics?

The New York Times

The motor and garage trades will be harmed.

The Economist

But science may be harmed when this is not recognized.

The New York Times

He assures me that the beer will not be harmed.

Independent

Small businesses relying on debt financing would also be harmed.

The New York Times

He would also be harmed by 2.7 points in Colorado.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everyone knew that the villagers wouldn't be harmed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be harmed", consider the specific type of harm involved (physical, emotional, financial) and adjust your wording to reflect this nuance for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be harmed" as a vague catch-all. Instead, specify the potential negative consequences, such as "be injured", "suffer financial loss", or "experience emotional distress".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be harmed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of an action that causes harm. Ludwig AI shows it being utilized to express potential negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be harmed" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to express the potential for injury, damage, or other negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. While it maintains a neutral register, clarity can be enhanced by specifying the nature of the potential harm. Consider alternative phrases like "be injured" or "suffer injury" for more specific scenarios. The phrase’s versatility makes it a valuable tool for expressing concern and caution across a broad range of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be injured

A more direct and common synonym, emphasizing the action of causing harm.

be damaged

Focuses on the resulting state of being harmed, implying a loss of integrity.

suffer injury

Focuses specifically on physical or emotional injury as the negative outcome.

be hurt

A simpler alternative that can refer to physical or emotional harm.

experience damage

Emphasizes the aspect of damage, which could be physical, emotional, or material.

be adversely affected

A more formal way of saying "be harmed", often used in professional or scientific contexts.

endure detriment

Highlights the suffering of some form of loss or disadvantage.

risk injury

Conveys the potential or possibility of being harmed.

be at risk

Highlights the state of being vulnerable to potential harm.

encounter difficulties

Refers to experiencing problems or negative consequences as a result of certain actions.

FAQs

How can I use "be harmed" in a sentence?

You can use "be harmed" to express the potential for injury, damage, or negative consequences. For example: "Children can "be harmed" by lead in toys."

What are some alternatives to "be harmed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be injured", "be damaged", or "suffer injury".

Is it correct to say "become harmed"?

While grammatically possible, "become harmed" is less common than ""be harmed"". The latter is generally preferred for its simplicity and directness.

What does it mean when something "cannot be harmed"?

When something "cannot "be harmed"", it means it is invulnerable or immune to injury, damage, or negative effects. For example: "Unlike your ego, your soul can't "be harmed" by other people's opinions".