gets harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets harmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something suffers damage or injury, often in a passive context. Example: "In the process of the experiment, the specimen gets harmed due to the extreme conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Who exactly gets harmed in the process?

Independent

I think it's tempting not to negotiate with hostage-takers, unless the hostage gets harmed.

The New York Times

I think it's tempting not to negotiate with hostage-takers — unless the hostage gets harmed.

The New Yorker

"Everybody believes that, physically, wrestling is fake; that nobody gets harmed," said Mr. Sarven, who said his experience suggested otherwise.

The New York Times

So when individuals go out and they harm that ability, our intelligence goes dark and our soldier in the field gets harmed".

The New Yorker

"I think it's tempting not to negotiate with hostage-takers, unless the hostage gets harmed," Mr. Obama said at his news conference on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A lot of innocent businesses got harmed.

The Guardian

No bees get harmed in the process of honey production though, right?

The Guardian - Opinion

The Chuckles never age, never remember old adventures, never get harmed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In this case, the hostage was the American people, and I was not willing to see them get harmed".

The New York Times

"If there's nothing there, great, no harm done — but nobody ever got harmed by taking a good hard look at your life," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than "gets" if appropriate. "Is injured" or "suffers damage" can provide more impact depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "gets harmed" excessively, especially when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The environment gets harmed by pollution", try "Pollution harms the environment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets harmed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something receives damage or injury. Ludwig's examples show the phrase used across varied contexts, from discussing environmental impact to personal well-being. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets harmed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something experiences damage or injury. As evidenced by examples analyzed by Ludwig, it appears across a range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and general discussions. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, Ludwig indicates that in more formal situations, synonyms like "is damaged" or "suffers damage" might be preferred. When employing "gets harmed", ensure clarity regarding the source and nature of the harm to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is injured

Focuses specifically on physical harm or injury.

is damaged

Emphasizes harm to an object or structure, rather than a person.

suffers damage

More formal way of saying "is damaged".

is affected negatively

Broader term suggesting any adverse impact, not necessarily physical.

experiences harm

Emphasizes the act of undergoing a negative experience.

is adversely affected

Formal and emphasizes the negative consequences.

is negatively impacted

A more business-oriented term indicating a detrimental effect.

is impaired

Focuses on the reduction or weakening of functionality.

is compromised

Suggests that something's integrity or effectiveness has been weakened.

comes to grief

An older, less common phrase for experiencing trouble or harm.

FAQs

How can I use "gets harmed" in a sentence?

You can use "gets harmed" to describe something or someone experiencing damage or injury. For example, "The ecosystem gets harmed by deforestation".

What are some alternatives to "gets harmed"?

Alternatives include "is injured", "is damaged", "suffers damage", or "is adversely affected". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "gets harmed"?

While "gets harmed" is grammatically correct in passive voice, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The community gets harmed by the factory's emissions", you could say "The factory's emissions harm the community".

Which is more appropriate, "gets harmed" or "is harmed"?

"Is harmed" is generally more formal and concise. "Gets harmed" can sometimes imply a process or a gradual effect, but in many contexts, they are interchangeable.