be harmful to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be harmful to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate that something has a potentially damaging or negative effect on someone or something else. For example, "Smoking can be harmful to your health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might be harmful to us.

The New York Times

It might be harmful to his campaign".

The Guardian - Books

It could be harmful to your health".

The New York Times - Travel

And that could be harmful to both of our institutions".

The Guardian

It is not known to be harmful to humans.

The New York Times

But it can be harmful to become obsessed".

The New Yorker

In fact, such an approach would be harmful to both.

The Guardian - Opinion

AYM: Can it be harmful to the mother or fetus?

Yale University

They also found that some familiar algae blooms could be harmful to life.

The New York Times

Republicans in the House oppose the measure, which they say would be harmful to business.

The Guardian

And a failure would be harmful to economic growth and job creation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative impacts, use "be harmful to" to clearly state what is at risk. For instance, "Excessive screen time can be harmful to children's development."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions like "with" or "for" after "harmful". The correct structure is always "be harmful to" followed by the affected entity.

How to use

Learn how to use "be harmful to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be harmful to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes the potential negative impact or damaging effect of a subject on an object, as shown in Ludwig's examples like "It might be harmful to us."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be harmful to" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate potential damage or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse sources. It's crucial to use the correct preposition "to" and to be mindful of the specific context to convey the intended meaning accurately. From warning about health risks in news articles to discussing potential dangers in scientific research, "be harmful to" serves as a clear and direct way to communicate potential harm. Remember to check the examples to grasp the nuances of usage and explore related phrases to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be detrimental to

Uses a more formal term to describe harm.

have adverse effects on

Points out the negative consequences or impact.

pose a threat to

Emphasizes the threatening nature of the harm.

present a danger to

Highlights the dangerous aspect of the potential harm.

cause damage to

Directly indicates the act of causing harm or damage.

carry risks for

Focuses on the inherent risks involved.

endanger

A more concise verb expressing the act of putting something at risk.

jeopardize

Implies a risk of failure or loss.

undermine

Suggests a weakening or destabilizing effect.

wreak havoc on

Emphasizes a destructive and chaotic impact.

FAQs

How can I use "be harmful to" in a sentence?

Use "be harmful to" to indicate that something has the potential to cause damage or have a negative impact on something else. For example, "Pollution can be harmful to the environment."

What are some alternatives to "be harmful to"?

You can use alternatives such as "pose a threat to", "have adverse effects on", or "be detrimental to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be harmful for" instead of "be harmful to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "harmful" in this context is "to". Saying "be harmful for" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "be harmful to".

What's the difference between "be harmful to" and "be damaging to"?

While both phrases indicate a negative impact, "be harmful to" suggests a broader range of negative effects, while "be damaging to" implies more direct physical or structural damage. The phrase "be damaging to" is less flexible.