cannot be harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be harmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone is invulnerable or immune to damage or injury. Example: "In this virtual environment, the characters cannot be harmed, allowing players to explore freely without fear of losing progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

So, an American soldier here now cannot be harmed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Another prominent follower of Socrates in the early 4th century bce, Antisthenes, emphasized the Socratic doctrine that a good man cannot be harmed; virtue, in other words, is by itself sufficient for happiness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another is Joe Jacobs, of Cayuga descent, who specializes in totems — animals with which Indians believe they have a sacred kinship, and which cannot be harmed by them for fear of misfortune.

The New York Times

Moreover, A does better to shoot at whichever opponent (there must be at least one) that is not a target of B or C. On the other hand, suppose that nobody shoots A. If B and C shoot each other, then A has no reason to shoot (although A cannot be harmed by doing so).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moses can be thrown around without harming him, but enemies cannot be harmed in any way.

TechCrunch

(i) It begs the question by assuming what is at issue, namely, that a non-living entity cannot be harmed (Nozick 1971).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Plaintiffs cannot claim that they themselves will be harmed in any respect by a stay.

The New York Times

Here are some relevant considerations: Many kinds of things whose reality few would question— boulders, numbers, and my shoe, for example cannot be harmed at all, and certainly cannot incur harm at particular times, yet clearly lack goods at particular times.

SEP

10 11 Men with such cancers cannot benefit from detection and treatment and can only be harmed.

British Medical Journal

We've long understood that the violent, racist nature of law enforcement means that we cannot seek police aid when we are harmed by one of our own men without risking the possibility that he will be harmed by a responding officer.

Huffington Post

Hence the child cannot be said to have been harmed because she cannot be said to be worse off than she otherwise would have been.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be harmed" in technical or fictional writing, ensure the context clearly defines the reason for invulnerability, whether it's due to magical protection, advanced technology, or inherent properties.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be harmed" when the situation implies a strong resistance rather than complete invulnerability. Instead, use phrases like "highly resistant to damage" or "difficult to harm" to convey a more nuanced degree of protection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be harmed" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing an inability to be damaged or injured. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be harmed" is a versatile expression used to denote complete invulnerability or immunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While synonyms like "is invulnerable" or "is immune to harm" offer alternatives, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the assertion of complete invulnerability, avoiding overstatements. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various settings, but careful consideration of the specific context is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is invulnerable

Emphasizes a state of being completely protected from harm.

is immune to harm

Highlights a natural or acquired resistance to being harmed.

is impervious to damage

Stresses the inability to be affected or damaged.

is beyond harm

Suggests a state of being safe and unreachable by anything that could cause harm.

is safe from injury

Focuses specifically on protection from physical harm.

remains unscathed

Implies surviving a potentially harmful situation without any injury.

is unassailable

Highlights the inability to be attacked or overcome, thus avoiding harm.

is protected from danger

Emphasizes the active protection from potential threats.

is out of reach of harm

Indicates a position or state where harm is not possible.

is untouchable

Suggests a metaphorical or literal state where harm cannot make contact.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be harmed" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be harmed" to describe something or someone immune to damage or injury. For instance: "In this game, the main character "cannot be harmed" by conventional weapons."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be harmed"?

Alternatives include "is invulnerable", "is immune to harm", or "is impervious to damage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "cannot be harmed"?

While grammatically correct, "cannot be harmed" implies absolute invulnerability. Use it judiciously, especially when a more nuanced description of resistance or protection is more accurate.

What's the difference between "cannot be harmed" and "is difficult to harm"?

"Cannot be harmed" suggests complete immunity, while "is difficult to harm" implies a high level of resistance but not absolute invulnerability. The latter acknowledges that harm is possible, albeit challenging.