doing yourself harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing yourself harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that negatively affect one's well-being or health. Example: "If you continue to neglect your mental health, you are doing yourself harm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Apply the "Front Page Rule" before potentially doing yourself harm.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you forget that, you may do yourself harm.

The Guardian - Books

do yourself harm through unwanted side effects of the antibiotic; and.

Huffington Post

"The drinking guidelines displayed on bottles are based on really good evidence that, above those limits, you are starting to do yourself harm.

Vice

The point is that you may be doing yourself considerable harm with each manicure, when all you meant was to enjoy a much-deserved treat.

Huffington Post

If you're stretching cold, or worse, not stretching at all before heading out for a run, you may be doing yourself more harm than good.

Huffington Post

We have the right to practice the religion in this country as long as it doesn't do harm to yourself or others – and Islam does".

The Guardian

Sometimes a movie is so awful that you worry you are doing yourself some form of harm simply by watching it.

The New York Times

"The fact is you do yourself more harm by leading a sedentary lifestyle".

The New York Times

If the main thing you remember about the Alamo is that you're supposed to remember it, you won't do yourself any harm by tuning in to "Remember the Alamo," a lightly revisionist documentary that will have its premiere tonight on the History Channel.

The New York Times - Arts

You won't do yourself any harm if you check out too many books, or don't read books you check out of the library.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, use "doing yourself harm" to clearly convey the negative consequences of certain actions or behaviors. For example: "Overeating can lead to "doing yourself harm" in the long run."

Common error

Avoid using "doing yourself harm" when you mean to describe something that is harmful in general, rather than something someone is actively causing to themselves. For instance, instead of saying 'The radiation is "doing yourself harm"', say 'The radiation is harmful'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing yourself harm" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes an action (doing harm) directed towards oneself. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it used in various contexts to caution against detrimental behaviors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing yourself harm" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote actions or behaviors that negatively impact one's well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is frequently used in news, general advice, and scientific articles to caution against detrimental habits. While alternatives like "hurting yourself" or "inflicting self-harm" exist, "doing yourself harm" often implies an ongoing process. When using this phrase, clarity is key. Avoid confusing it with passive descriptions of harm. Keep in mind the purpose is to be cautionary and advisory to reconsider behaviors that could be detrimental to their health or safety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurting yourself

A more general term for causing physical or emotional pain to oneself.

inflicting self-harm

Emphasizes the act of deliberately harming oneself.

causing self-injury

Focuses specifically on physical harm inflicted upon oneself.

bringing harm upon yourself

Emphasizes the consequence of one's actions resulting in personal harm.

endangering your well-being

Highlights the risk to one's overall health and happiness.

damaging your health

Specifically relates to actions that negatively affect physical or mental health.

undermining your health

Focuses on the gradual degradation of one's physical or mental health.

jeopardizing your health

Highlights the risk that actions pose to one's well-being.

compromising your safety

Focuses on actions that put oneself at risk.

subjecting yourself to danger

Focuses on placing oneself in situations that involve risk.

FAQs

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

You can use "doing yourself harm" to describe actions or behaviors that negatively impact your well-being or health. For example, "If you continue to skip meals, you are "doing yourself harm"".

What's a good alternative to "doing yourself harm"?

Alternatives include "hurting yourself", "inflicting self-harm", or "endangering your well-being", depending on the specific context.

Is "doing yourself harm" the same as "harming yourself"?

While similar, "doing yourself harm" implies a more active or continuous process, whereas "harming yourself" can refer to a single instance or a general state of causing harm to oneself.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "doing yourself harm"?

It's appropriate to use "doing yourself harm" when discussing actions or habits that have negative consequences for your physical, mental, or emotional health. For example, "Ignoring your mental health is "doing yourself harm" in the long run".