doing considerable harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing considerable harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or situations that cause significant negative effects or damage. Example: "The pollution from the factory is doing considerable harm to the local ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the widespread recognition that America can't do everything coexists with a set of outdated presumptions and practices, which still dominate many policy discussions in Washington and are already doing considerable harm to the U.S.'s standing.

The New Yorker

Ms. Yellen is an architect of the Fed's efforts to reduce unemployment while Mr. Summers and some of his key supporters have said the Fed's latest round of bond-buying is doing little good and may even be doing considerable harm.

The New York Times

"It exceeds common sense and has been doing considerable harm to legitimate law".

Vice

And they may, against their overt wishes, attack their care givers, sometimes doing considerable harm to the ones they love most.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But they can potentially do considerable harm nonetheless.

The Washington Post

Bush's is not only a failed policy, it is one which does considerable harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her "zeal to advance her agenda" did "considerable harm" both to the species and the department's integrity, morale and reputation, the report concluded.

The New York Times

"There may be some that we really have a fight over," said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, saying a drawn-out argument over nominations could do considerable harm to the Senate.

The New York Times

"But if the United States declares that its success in this effort will be measured by its ability to kill bin Laden once he has been taken prisoner and rendered harmless," the memo says, "the story line will quickly shift in a direction that could do considerable harm to long-term American interests".

The New York Times

Such policies have only not done considerable harm because of an extraordinary proliferation of efficient rental markets (see article).The original green revolution transformed Asia from a continent stalked by hunger into one that could think and plan beyond the next harvest.

The Economist

Signing up with an incompetent SEO agency can do considerable harm to your business.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doing considerable harm", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being harmed and the nature of the harm. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "doing considerable harm" if the evidence of harm is weak or anecdotal. Ensure your claims are supported by concrete evidence to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing considerable harm" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, typically following a subject and verb. It indicates that the subject's actions are causing a significant negative impact. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe the negative consequences of policies or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing considerable harm" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe actions or situations causing significant negative effects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While there are various alternatives like "causing significant damage" or "inflicting serious harm", the key is to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the context and evidence support the claim of significant harm. When writing, avoid exaggerating the harm without proper evidence, and ensure the phrase clearly identifies what is being harmed and how.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causing significant damage

Emphasizes the extent of the damage caused.

inflicting serious harm

Highlights the severity of the harm being done.

doing substantial damage

Highlights the significant amount of damage caused.

resulting in considerable damage

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of the action.

causing extensive damage

Indicates that the damage is widespread.

wreaking havoc

Suggests widespread disruption and damage.

producing significant harm

Highlights the act of producing a negative effect.

creating substantial damage

Focuses on the act of creating damage, implying a direct cause.

leading to significant detriment

Highlights the negative consequences and impact.

having a severely detrimental effect

Emphasizes the adverse impact and its intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "doing considerable harm" in a sentence?

You can use "doing considerable harm" to describe actions or situations that cause significant negative effects or damage. For example, "The new policy is "doing considerable harm" to the economy".

What are some alternatives to "doing considerable harm"?

Alternatives include "causing significant damage", "inflicting serious harm", or "wreaking havoc" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "doing considerable harm" or "causing considerable harm"?

Both "doing considerable harm" and "causing considerable harm" are correct and usable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Doing" emphasizes the action, while "causing" emphasizes the result.

What's the difference between "doing considerable harm" and "doing significant harm"?

The phrases "doing considerable harm" and "doing significant harm" are very similar. "Considerable" suggests a noticeable or substantial amount, while "significant" implies importance or consequence. They are often interchangeable.