cause some harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause some harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential negative effects or consequences of an action or situation. Example: "If we don't address the issue promptly, it could cause some harm to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We could see on TV there was intention by the Colombia player to actually cause some harm," said Ronaldo.

BBC

But Liao argues that Zetia might actually make this inflammation worse and therefore may have less benefit at preventing heart attacks or even, theoretically, cause some harm.

Forbes

Some genes or gene complexes are transmitted from parents to offspring at a greater-than-Mendelian rate, and can spread and persist in populations even if they cause some harm to the individuals carrying them.

Theoretical Population Biology

Many liberal (and feminist) objections to censorship of pornography point to the practical costs and dangers of censorship, arguing that even if pornography does cause some harm to others, the risks involved in censoring it are too great.

SEP

They typically continue to maintain either that pornography does not cause harm to women (in the relevant, usually narrow, sense of 'harm'), or they admit that pornography probably does cause some harm to women's interests, but deny that this harm is sufficiently great to offset the dangers inherent in censorship and to justify the violation of the rights of pornographers and would-be consumers.

SEP

The government's concern is that this response implies that the government has the information requested, a disclosure that might in itself cause some harm to the government.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We do believe that this has caused some harm," Mr. Campbell told reporters in Tokyo.

The New York Times

Of all operated patients, 80% were satisfied with having had surgery and 86% considered that they had benefited, whereas 20% thought that surgery caused some harm.

Epilepsia

However, the use of α blockers may have caused some harm to patients as evidenced by the higher incidence of congestive heart failure among patients randomised to doxazosin (α blocker) verus chlorthalidone (thiazide-type diruetic) [ 7].

BMC Family Practice

And, given how lax the security around the files seems to have been, it doesn't even strike one as the most practical spot to focus on, if the Obama Administration's aim is truly to secure secrets whose release might cause some actual harm to our national security (as opposed to embarrassment to our government, which is not at all the same thing).

The New Yorker

Perhaps it would be wiser to wait and see whether gay marriage does, in fact, cause some kind of harm, wondered Mr Breyer.Donald Verrilli, the solicitor-general, delivered a thundering rebuke to such arguments.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause some harm", consider the degree of impact you want to convey. For minor issues, consider less impactful phrases; for severe issues, consider more direct language.

Common error

Avoid using "cause some harm" when the potential negative impact is minimal or negligible. Overstating the consequence can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause some harm" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of inflicting damage or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause some harm" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe actions or situations that may lead to negative outcomes. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and appropriate in various contexts. Its frequency is classified as common, appearing in diverse sources like news articles, scientific papers, and wikis. When using the phrase, consider the specific degree of impact you wish to convey, and avoid overstating the consequence. Alternatives such as "inflict some damage" or "create problems" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict some damage

Emphasizes the act of causing damage, often physical or material.

do some injury

Focuses on physical harm or wounding.

create problems

Highlights the generation of difficulties or troubles.

lead to difficulties

Suggests that an action will create difficulties.

have a detrimental effect

Focuses on the adverse or negative impact.

trigger negative consequences

Emphasizes the consequential nature of an action.

result in adversity

Highlights the creation of unfavorable or challenging situations.

precipitate issues

Emphasizes the hastening or bringing about of problems.

spark conflict

Focuses on starting or igniting disputes or disagreements.

breed discontent

Highlights the generation of dissatisfaction or unhappiness.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cause some harm" is used to describe a situation or action that results in negative consequences or damage. For example: "If we don't address the issue promptly, it could "cause some harm" to the environment."

What are some alternatives to "cause some harm"?

You can use alternatives like "inflict some damage", "create problems", or "have a detrimental effect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cause some harm"?

Yes, the phrase "cause some harm" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the act of inflicting damage or negative consequences.

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

"Cause harm" generally refers to a broader or more significant level of damage, while "cause some harm" implies a more limited or less severe impact. The addition of "some" softens the statement.