cause to harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause to harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing actions or events that lead to harm or damage to someone or something. Example: "The reckless behavior of the driver could cause to harm innocent pedestrians."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What gives us such cause to harm each other?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"So, to the extent that those individuals are treated and are looked after, they are less likely to cause harm to themselves through misadventure and less likely to cause harm to others because they are mentally well".

Vice

By the same logic, Mr. Thiessen argues, "the intent of the interrogator is not to cause harm to the detainee; rather, it is to render the aggressor unable to cause harm to society".

The New York Times

Water distribution networks are subject to potential intentional contaminations to cause harm to the consumer.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

Showing fear will incline them to cause you harm.

WikiHow

"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

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

"We will not let anybody use our soil to cause harm to any other nation.

The New York Times

Elephants go out of their way not to cause harm to others.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential consequences, use "cause to harm" to clearly indicate the action leading to the negative outcome. It directly links the cause and effect.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a passive voice that obscures who or what is causing the harm. Instead of "Harm was caused by...", use "...caused harm" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause to harm" functions as a purpose connector, linking an action or event with its potential negative outcome. As Ludwig AI suggests, it clearly indicates the action leading to the harmful effect. Examples show its usage in describing potential risks and consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause to harm" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed purpose connector used to describe actions or situations that may lead to negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It serves primarily to warn or express concern, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts, predominantly in news, science, and general knowledge domains. While direct alternatives like "inflict harm" or "lead to damage" may offer stylistic variations, "cause to harm" remains a clear and effective means of highlighting potential adverse consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict harm

This alternative shifts the focus to the direct act of inflicting harm, implying a more immediate action.

lead to damage

This phrase focuses on the result of the action, emphasizing the damage caused.

result in injury

This alternative specifies the type of harm as injury, which can be physical or emotional.

generate suffering

This alternative focuses on the creation or production of suffering.

give rise to detriment

This alternative uses more formal language, emphasizing the negative consequences.

contribute to impairment

This phrase highlights the contribution to a state of being impaired or weakened.

induce trauma

This phrase emphasizes the psychological impact, specifically inducing trauma.

precipitate adversity

This alternative suggests that the action accelerates or brings about negative circumstances.

spark affliction

This alternative uses vivid language to describe the onset of affliction.

foster negativity

This phrase highlights the promotion or encouragement of negative outcomes or feelings.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause to harm" to describe actions or situations that lead to negative consequences. For example: "The company's negligence could cause to harm the environment."

What are some alternatives to "cause to harm"?

You can use alternatives like "inflict harm", "lead to damage", or "result in injury" depending on the context.

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

"Cause harm" is a more direct and commonly used phrase. "Cause to harm" is grammatically correct, but less frequent. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "cause to harm" and "lead to harm"?

"Cause to harm" emphasizes the action directly resulting in harm, while "lead to harm" suggests a more indirect or gradual progression toward a harmful outcome.