equally harmful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally harmful to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the negative effects of two or more things on a particular subject or group. Example: "The new policy is equally harmful to both employees and the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the emphasis on the Asian approach advocated by the Kims may be equally harmful to children.

The New York Times

It is equally harmful to the victim whether you sell what you have stolen or give it away".

The New York Times

Perhaps equally harmful to Summers's prospects for the C.E.A. job was the fact that, of the four top slots on the economic team, three were already filled by white men (Lloyd Bentsen, at Treasury; Robert Rubin, at the N.E.C.; and Leon Panetta, at the Office of Management and Budget).

The New Yorker

Some literature reports that both forms (anatase and rutile) are equally harmful to bacteria [10].

Nanoscale Research Letters

It was reported that the direct oxidant treatment and deregulated intracellular production of ROS are equally harmful to the cell and are countered by various antioxidant defenses.

Chemistry Central Journal

Whelan's only riposte is to insultingly suggest, against all available evidence, that homosexual relationships are equally harmful to families.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

To our knowledge, however, whether both are equally harmful has yet to be demonstrated Furthermore (at least during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation), airway pressures at which oxygenation is maximal do not equal pressures at which the respiratory system compliance is maximal [ 6].

Critical Care

When PBDE was found to be equally harmful, the industry moved on to chlorinated Tris, which has been recently declared a carcinogen by a California state science panel.

Huffington Post

Trophozoites are believed to be the infectious form of the organism (1 ); nonetheless, cysts can be equally harmful because they may revert to trophozoites under optimal conditions (1 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Tobacco and cocaine are judged to be equally harmful, while ecstasy and LSD are among the least damaging.

BBC

Incinerating waste creates equally harmful (albeit less visible) damage to the environment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two or more potentially negative situations, ensure that using "equally harmful to" accurately reflects that there is no significant difference in the level of harm caused. Using it when one situation is clearly more harmful diminishes the impact of the more severe situation.

Common error

Avoid using "equally harmful to" if you are aware that one subject or action causes considerably more harm than another. Doing so dilutes the severity of the greater harm and can mislead your audience. For example, don't say "Lack of sleep and starvation are equally harmful to the body" if starvation has a clearly higher negative effect on health. Instead, provide an accurate comparison that reflects the actual degree of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally harmful to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that two or more subjects have the same degree of negative impact on a specific object or group. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains, indicating comparable detriment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equally harmful to" is a comparative adjective phrase used to describe situations where two or more things cause a similar level of detriment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds application across diverse contexts, including science and news media. When using this phrase, it is essential to ensure the comparison is accurate and reflects a genuinely equivalent level of harm. Alternatives such as "just as damaging to" or "similarly detrimental to" can be used to convey a comparable meaning. Ultimately, this phrase serves to equate consequences, emphasizing the shared negative impact as presented in the examples from Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as damaging to

Emphasizes the equivalence in the damage caused, focusing on the damaging aspect.

similarly detrimental to

Highlights the comparable detrimental effect, using a more formal tone.

as hazardous as

Focuses on the equivalent level of hazard or danger.

comparably adverse for

Indicates a similar degree of negative consequences or opposition.

equally injurious to

Stresses the similarity in causing injury or harm, often in a legal or formal context.

no less destructive to

Highlights that the level of destruction is not lower compared to something else.

as unfavorable as

Focuses on the comparable lack of favor or benefit.

matches in harmfulness to

Directly states that the level of harmfulness is equivalent.

poses the same threat to

Emphasizes that the level of threat is equal.

bears the same risk for

Indicates that the level of risk associated is equivalent.

FAQs

How can I use "equally harmful to" in a sentence?

Use "equally harmful to" to compare two or more things that cause a similar level of damage or negativity. For example, "Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are "equally harmful to" your health".

What are some alternatives to saying "equally harmful to"?

You can use alternatives like "just as damaging to", "similarly detrimental to", or "as hazardous as" depending on the context.

Is it accurate to use "equally harmful to" if one thing is only slightly less harmful than another?

While technically correct, using "equally harmful to" might be misleading if the difference in harm is noticeable. Consider using phrases that reflect the slight difference, such as "almost as harmful to" or "nearly as damaging to".

Which is correct: "equally harmful to" or "as harmful to"?

"Equally harmful to" implies a direct comparison of similar levels of harm. "As harmful to" can be used in comparisons but doesn't necessarily mean the harm is exactly the same. Context determines which phrase is most accurate.