does harm to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does harm to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative impact or damage caused by an action or situation. Example: "The pollution from the factory does harm to the local wildlife and ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

As we all know, smoking is not only harmful to human health, but it also does harm to a smoker's whole family.

Advances in Difference Equations

The disregard of that does harm to those they are trying to help.

The New York Times

It does harm to both parties, and decision-makers don't even recognise it".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And thirdly, while this does harm to the UK chancellor's credibility, the rating agencies have already trashed their credibility irredeemably.

The Guardian - Business

In "Twelfth Night," Sir Andrew Aguecheek confesses, "I am a great eater of beef and I believe that does harm to my wit".

The New Yorker

"The literal slave does harm to no one, whilst the self-made slave of whom we speak is a curse to his kindred, a burden upon all, and, in no small share of the cases, a terror to all".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"We do harm to those who harm us," she said.

The New York Times

"You would be called for doing harm to the church".

The New York Times

"I had no intention of doing harm to others.

The New York Times

"The rhetoric against trade would do harm to the economy.

The Guardian - Business

The judges will be doing harm to the federal bench".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does harm to", ensure that the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "it does harm", specify "the policy does harm to small businesses".

Common error

While "does harm to" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hurts" or "damages" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does harm to" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of causing damage or injury. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically sound and widely employed. Examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as discussing the effects of smoking or the impact of noise on MRI estimation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

52%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does harm to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that effectively conveys the action of causing damage or injury. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While simpler alternatives like "harms" may be preferable in informal settings, "does harm to" is a versatile and reliable option for expressing negative consequences. The frequency analysis shows it's particularly common in scientific and news-related sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is detrimental to

Replaces "does harm to" with a more formal adjective phrase indicating damage or injury.

is damaging to

Similar to "does harm to", but uses the adjective "damaging" to describe the harmful effect.

causes injury to

Substitutes "harm" with "injury", suggesting physical or emotional damage.

has a negative impact on

A more neutral and general way of expressing a harmful effect.

adversely affects

A more formal term that means to affect negatively or harmfully.

is prejudicial to

Suggests that something is detrimental or disadvantageous to someone or something.

inflicts damage upon

A more emphatic way of saying something causes damage.

impairs the function of

Focuses on the reduced functionality caused by the harm.

creates problems for

Indicates that something causes difficulties or troubles.

poses a threat to

Highlights the danger or risk involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "does harm to" to describe the negative impact of something on someone or something else. For example, "Pollution does harm to the environment" or "Stress does harm to your health".

What are some alternatives to "does harm to"?

Alternatives to "does harm to" include "is detrimental to", "is damaging to", or "has a negative impact on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "does harm to" or "harms"?

"Harms" is a more direct and concise verb. "Does harm to" adds emphasis or formality, but "harms" is often sufficient and preferable in many contexts. For example: "Smoking harms your health" is equivalent to "Smoking does harm to your health".

When should I use "does harm to" instead of just "harm"?

Use "does harm to" when you want to emphasize the action or process of harming, or when you need to fit the phrase into a specific grammatical structure. Using "harm" is often more concise and direct unless a more emphatic or verbose expression is desired.