bring harm

USAGE SUMMARY

'bring harm' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when one is referring to a person, object, or action that can damage someone or something, either physically or emotionally. For example: "The accident could have brought great harm to the people involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or bring harm to himself and his family?

The New York Times

They instigate situations to bring harm on themselves.

The Guardian

But was my salesmanship going to bring harm to anybody?

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm not the type of person that tries to bring harm on anybody," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

This is to ensure that the synthesised product does not bring harm and health-related hazards to the consumers.

Chemical Engineering Science

The messages cited children by name and by school, threatening to bring harm to both.

The Washington Post

The fact that some alien species produce benefits is hardly a reason to welcome the many that bring harm.

The New York Times

Introduced species and destruction are activities that bring harm to the sensitive yet precious wildlife and cause them habitats loss; bird family.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

In 1990 he began working on the animated series The Simpsons, providing the voice of Sideshow Bob, who frequently tried to bring harm to the Simpson family.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But now its implementation "depends on the opinion of special services: if they decide that some actions or statements bring harm to the Russian Federation, then that's enough".

The New Yorker

"He said he doesn't want to bring harm to the United States and sees himself as a law-abiding citizen and a patriot," Nikonov said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring harm", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being harmed and the source of the harm. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "bring harm" without specifying the actor or cause. Ambiguity can weaken the statement. Instead of saying "The policy will bring harm", specify "The policy will bring harm to small businesses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring harm" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "bring" acts as a causative verb and "harm" functions as a noun representing damage or injury. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples where the phrase describes actions leading to negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring harm" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that expresses the potential for negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to highlight risks or warn against actions that could lead to damage or injury. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, science, and professional communication. While semantically similar to phrases like "cause damage" or "inflict injury", "bring harm" offers a slightly different nuance, emphasizing the act of causing harm rather than the harm itself. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context specifies who or what is being harmed to maximize the impact and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause damage

Focuses on the action of causing damage rather than the act of bringing it.

inflict injury

Emphasizes the act of causing physical harm or injury.

cause suffering

Highlights the causing of pain or distress.

create detriment

Highlights the creation of something that causes harm or disadvantage.

result in adversity

Shifts the focus to the outcome of adversity instead of the action causing it.

generate adversity

Focuses on the creation of adverse conditions or misfortune.

precipitate trouble

Emphasizes the act of bringing about trouble or problems.

lead to destruction

Emphasizes the resulting destruction from an action.

initiate peril

Focuses on the beginning or initiation of danger.

spark affliction

Highlights the starting or igniting of suffering or distress.

FAQs

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

You can use "bring harm" to describe actions or situations that cause damage or injury, as in "The new regulations could "bring harm" to the environment".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "bring harm"?

Alternatives include "cause damage", "inflict injury", or "create detriment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "bring harm" or "cause harm"?

"Bring harm" and "cause harm" are largely interchangeable, but "cause harm" might be slightly more common in contemporary usage. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "bring harm" and "do harm"?

"Bring harm" suggests a consequence or result of an action, while "do harm" often implies a direct and intentional act. For example, "The decision could bring harm to the company's reputation," versus "The spy was determined to do harm to the nation".