cause harm to

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause harm to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that an action has caused something to be hurt, damaged, or injured. For example: The reckless driving caused harm to both drivers and pedestrians.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I never intended to cause harm to the player.

The Guardian - Sport

He expressed no intention to cause harm to Councilman Davis".

The New York Times

But I'd never explore that if I knew I was going to cause harm to somebody.

The Guardian - Film

(This amount of americium is too small to cause harm to the home's occupants).

The Guardian

It said research had shown they could cause harm to some viewers.

The Guardian

We totally confirm that we will never attack civil airports and cause harm to civilians.

The Guardian

They can cause harm to marine life after draining into the ocean.

The Guardian

If you don't pay back what's owed, you cause harm to others.

The New York Times

"It has characteristics which over time reliably cause harm to people's mental health.

The Guardian

"Under no circumstance was Victor attempting to cause harm to himself," he said.

The New York Times

Indiegogo's terms also bar fundraisers from creating a campaign "to cause harm to people or property".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks or consequences, use "cause harm to" to clearly articulate the potential negative impact on specific entities or individuals. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "cause harm to" when simpler verbs like "hurt" or "damage" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in simple sentences can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause harm to" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an action that results in negative consequences or damage. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately indicates that an action is responsible for inflicting hurt, damage, or injury.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Huffington Post

5%

SEP

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause harm to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase, used to express the action of inflicting damage, injury, or negative effects. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate. Its formality ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and general informative content. When writing, remember to consider simpler alternatives like "hurt" or "damage" in simpler scenarios, avoid overusing "cause harm to" to maintain conciseness and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict damage on

Focuses on the act of damaging something, shifting from the broader concept of harm.

do injury to

Emphasizes the aspect of injury, making it more specific than general harm.

create detriment for

Highlights the detrimental effects, changing the focus from the action to the outcome.

bring about injury to

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the result of the action.

precipitate damage to

Implies hastening or accelerating the damage, adding a sense of urgency.

lead to the detriment of

Highlights the consequential relationship, suggesting that the action causes a negative outcome.

result in impairment of

Focuses specifically on impairment, which is a reduction in function or ability.

pose a threat to

Indicates a potential for harm, rather than actual harm having occurred.

endanger

A more concise and direct way of suggesting that something is put at risk of harm.

imperil

Implies a serious and imminent risk of harm or danger.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cause harm to" is used to indicate that an action or situation results in damage, injury, or negative effects on someone or something. For example: "Pollution can "cause harm to" the environment."

What are some alternatives to "cause harm to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inflict damage on", "do injury to", or "pose a threat to".

Is it better to say "cause harm to" or "harm" directly?

Using "cause harm to" is more appropriate when you want to emphasize the action or situation that leads to the harm, rather than just the harm itself. "Harm" is more direct and can be used when the cause is already understood.

What is the difference between "cause harm to" and "potentially harm"?

"Cause harm to" implies that harm has already occurred or is actively occurring, whereas "potentially harm" suggests a possibility or risk of harm in the future. The former is a statement of current effect, while the latter is a prediction.