can significantly harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can significantly harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential negative effects or consequences of an action, decision, or situation. Example: "Excessive screen time can significantly harm a child's development and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Jonathan B. Mintz, the commissioner of consumer affairs, said that abusive collection tactics "can significantly harm a consumer's credit history and impact the financial resources of those who need it most".

The New York Times

Other academic studies published this year added to the growing roster of evidence that smartphones and mobile apps can significantly harm your mental and physical well-being.

TechCrunch

Next to problematic mineral precipitation, corrosion of varying chemistry and degree can significantly harm carbon- and low-alloy steel components as well as concrete casings of geothermal installations (Mundhenk et al. 2013; Nogara and Zarrouk 2014).

Geothermal Energy

Medical-bill debt, which is often expensive and unexpected, can significantly harm people's credit ratings, as a recent study from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau pointed out.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You can be significantly harmed, or whipped off to Pakistan to marry somebody.

Independent

But not having a wireless unit has not appeared to significantly harm WorldCom.

The New York Times

Stick to activities that would significantly harm your business.

WikiHow

Becoming more financially aware can help you understand how much, and how often, you can afford to indulge yourself now without adding unwanted years to your career or significantly harming your financial future.

Science Magazine

We can produce enough energy from non-carbon-based sources to fulfill our needs without significantly harming the planet.

Huffington Post

It can be seen that the proposed scheme presents a better performance, achieving a throughput of up to 0.55 bpcu without significantly harming the primary.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In its estimation, either option would leave its business "significantly harmed".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can significantly harm", ensure you provide context about what is being harmed and the nature of the harm. Specificity strengthens your argument and makes the statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "can significantly harm" when the potential negative impact is minor or negligible. Overstating the harm can weaken your credibility and make your argument less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can significantly harm" functions as a verb phrase expressing a potential negative consequence. It indicates that something has the capacity to cause considerable damage or injury. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can significantly harm" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating the potential of a serious negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's particularly effective in contexts where caution or warning is necessary. While versatile, its formality leans toward neutral to professional registers, appearing most frequently in news and scientific sources. Remember to provide context about the specific harm and avoid overstating the potential damage to maintain credibility. Consider alternatives like "can seriously damage" or "can greatly compromise" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can seriously damage

Emphasizes the severity of the potential negative impact.

can substantially injure

Focuses on the potential for physical or emotional hurt.

can greatly compromise

Highlights the potential weakening or undermining effect.

can critically impair

Emphasizes the reduction or loss of functionality.

can severely jeopardize

Focuses on the risk or danger created.

can considerably undermine

Highlights the gradual weakening or erosion effect.

can profoundly affect negatively

Emphasizes the depth and scope of the adverse impact.

can have a major detrimental effect

Focuses on the overall negative consequence.

can create substantial risk

Highlights the potential for danger or loss.

can lead to considerable detriment

Emphasizes the causal relationship with a negative outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "can significantly harm" to describe potential serious negative consequences. For example, "Lack of sleep "can significantly harm" your cognitive functions".

What are some alternatives to saying "can significantly harm"?

You can use alternatives like "can seriously damage", "can greatly compromise", or "can critically impair" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "can significantly harm" or "can seriously harm"?

Both "can significantly harm" and "can seriously harm" are valid, but the best choice depends on the context. "Significantly" suggests a notable impact, while "seriously" implies a severe or dangerous impact.

What's the difference between "can significantly harm" and "can moderately harm"?

"Can significantly harm" indicates a substantial negative impact, whereas "can moderately harm" suggests a less severe, though still undesirable, effect. The choice depends on the degree of harm you wish to emphasize.