detriment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "detriment" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to harm, damage, or something that detracts from something valuable. For example, "The constant noise from the construction site was a detriment to her ability to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even the November nuclear deal in Geneva with the so-called P5+1 can be seen as enhancing Iran's regional status to the detriment of Saudi Arabia, which has threatened to distance itself from the United States over the apparent Washington-Tehran thaw.

The Guardian

The removal of the cap on private patient income means trusts will be able to make more of their income from private patients, to the detriment of NHS patients because the private sector people will be more valuable.

The Guardian

Some feminists pointed out that women suffer detriment to their careers when they change their names; that they signal their submission to their husbands, and reinforce to their children the idea that women are inferior to men.

The Guardian - Books

"We have seen too much of plcs, breakaway leagues, and the top level becoming greedier, to the detriment of the rest.

The Guardian - Sport

It said: "We considered that this emphasis on a £160 refund, which required a commitment of £320, was likely to encourage consumers who would not normally have spent £40 on twice weekly draws to spend more than they otherwise would have done, to their detriment in some cases.

The Guardian

The Chinese ships were "taking advantage of weak enforcement and supervision from local and Chinese authorities to the detriment of local fishermen and the environment", said Rashid Kang, head of Greenpeace East Asia's China ocean campaign.

The Guardian

Enables the Treasury to make a freezing order if it reasonably believes that an action to the detriment of the United Kingdom's economy (or part of it) has been or is likely to be taken by a person or persons.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is absolutely critical that political parties have a plan to address this shocking statistic because at the moment it seems as though a generation of young black men – and it is often men and sometimes women – are being cast aside and it is to the detriment of us all".

The Guardian

In law, football is exhausted from battling the European Commission, which treats the game like any other industry and subjects it to fierce free- market imperatives often to the detriment of a more collective approach.

The Guardian - Sport

But it's a zero-sum game: without increasing supply, Help to Buy only helps inflate the market to the detriment of every other buyer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consider the detriment in terms of being the wrong target.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "detriment" to specifically denote a clear and demonstrable harm or disadvantage resulting from a particular action or situation. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "detriment" when a weaker term like 'inconvenience' or 'drawback' would be more appropriate. "Detriment" implies a significant negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "detriment" functions primarily as a noun. It represents something that causes damage, harm, or disadvantage. Ludwig's examples show it often appears in prepositional phrases like "to the "detriment" of."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "detriment" is a versatile noun indicating harm or disadvantage, commonly used in formal writing across various domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in contexts where negative consequences are being highlighted. When using "detriment", remember that it implies a significant negative impact, so avoid using it for trivial issues. Alternative phrases like "to the harm of" or "at the expense of" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas, while understanding the specific implications of "detriment" ensures precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the disadvantage of

Focuses on the aspect of being at a disadvantage, implying an unfair or unfavorable situation.

to the harm of

Emphasizes the aspect of causing harm, injury, or damage.

at the expense of

Highlights the cost or sacrifice involved, suggesting something is lost or given up.

to the cost of

Similar to 'at the expense of', but emphasizes the financial or resource burden.

to the prejudice of

Indicates bias or unfairness leading to harm or disadvantage.

to the detriment and prejudice of

Combines both 'detriment' and 'prejudice' for a stronger emphasis on harm and bias.

to the injury of

Focuses on causing physical or emotional injury.

to the impairment of

Implies weakening or damaging something, making it less effective.

to the weakening of

Emphasizes the aspect of reducing strength or effectiveness.

to the erosion of

Suggests a gradual wearing away or decline.

FAQs

How can I use "detriment" in a sentence?

Use "detriment" to describe a state of being harmed or damaged. For example, "The budget cuts were a "detriment" to the education system".

What are some synonyms for "detriment"?

Alternatives to "detriment" include "harm", "damage", "disadvantage", or "loss". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "to the detriment of"?

Yes, the phrase "to the "detriment" of" is a common and correct way to indicate that something is causing harm or disadvantage to something else.

What's the difference between "detriment" and "disadvantage"?

"Detriment" implies a more significant and harmful effect than "disadvantage". A "disadvantage" might simply be an unfavorable condition, while a "detriment" actively causes harm or damage.