cause harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause harm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that could potentially cause harm to something or someone, either physically or emotionally. For example, "The negligent driver carelessly swerved across the road, causing harm to the pedestrians on the sidewalk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can they cause harm?

Independent

I cause harm".

The New Yorker

DO NARCOTIC drugs cause harm?

The Economist

Articles like this cause harm.

Independent

They can also cause harm.

The New York Times

Pests and pesticides — both can cause harm.

Cornell University

To do anything less, we cause harm.

The Washington Post

In some instances inflammation can cause harm.

Britannica

Some ask him: Will it cause harm?

The Washington Post

It's simply too likely to cause harm.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Not to give aid can also cause harm," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative impacts, use "cause harm" to clearly indicate the infliction of damage or injury, whether physical or emotional. Ensure the context clearly specifies what or whom is affected by the harm.

Common error

Avoid using "cause harm" without specifying the type or extent of harm. Unclear statements like "Technology can cause harm" lack precision. Instead, detail the specific negative consequences, such as "Excessive screen time can cause harm to children's eyesight and cognitive development".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause harm" functions as a verb phrase where "cause" is the verb indicating the action of bringing about a result, and "harm" is the noun representing the negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause harm" is a versatile and widely used expression that clearly indicates the infliction of damage or injury. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to academic and scientific publications. While "cause harm" is generally appropriate for neutral communication, it's essential to specify the nature and extent of the harm to avoid vagueness. Remember, alternatives like "inflict damage" or "do damage" can offer nuance depending on the specific context. Overall, mastering the use of "cause harm" will improve the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict damage

Focuses on the tangible or physical consequences of the action.

do damage

A more general way to refer to the act of causing impairment.

create problems

Emphasizes the troublesome or challenging outcomes.

pose a threat

Highlights the potential danger or risk involved.

present a danger

Similar to posing a threat, but focuses on the immediate presence of risk.

wreak havoc

Implies widespread disruption and devastation.

bring about destruction

Highlights the comprehensive and ruinous results.

lead to injury

Focuses specifically on physical harm or wounding.

result in impairment

Points to the compromised or weakened state caused by the action.

trigger adversity

Stresses the commencement of hardship and misfortune.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "cause harm"?

Alternatives include phrases like "inflict damage", "do damage", or "create problems", depending on the specific context.

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

Use "cause harm" to describe an action or situation that results in damage or injury. For example, "Pollution can cause harm to the environment" or "Spreading misinformation can cause harm to public trust".

Is it better to use "cause harm" or "lead to harm"?

"Cause harm" directly implies a causal relationship, while "lead to harm" suggests a sequence of events. "Cause harm" is more immediate and direct; "lead to harm" implies a process.

What is the difference between "cause harm" and "risk harm"?

"Cause harm" indicates that harm has already occurred or is actively occurring, whereas "risk harm" indicates a potential for harm to occur in the future. Therefore "cause harm" is a statement of fact (harm is happening) while "risk harm" is a statement of probability (harm may happen).