harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"harm" is a valid and usable word in English.
You can use it to describe something that is causing damage or injury to a person or thing. For example, "The loud noise was causing harm to my hearing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where's the harm?

The New York Times

He warned a decision to withdraw the ambassador could harm Australia's longer term goals.

The Guardian

They had little else in common over the course of the match with a Hearts side who did them such severe harm as they picked up the trophy they also secured in 2006.

The Guardian - Sport

BP says it is vigorously defending the case, arguing that it took significant steps to compensate farmers for laying the pipeline on their land and to ensure that no harm was caused.

The Guardian

Would your writers not wish to pursue any avenue that might benefit a child who has suffered harm at the hands of another person?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are particularly scathing about the coalition's reliance on the responsibility deal, in which food and drink firms voluntarily agree moves to reduce the harm their products can cause.

The Guardian

"I do not think he will ever be able to come back to the United States no matter how popular he might come to be, and I think there is much more support for him month by month as people come to realise how little substance in the charges that he caused harm to us.

The Guardian

The king has also told Bismarck and King Wilhelm that he would like Denmark to be incorporated into the German Confederation to save his people further harm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In its rebuttal, Barclays said: "Fundamentally, the complaint fails to identify any fraud – establishing no material misstatements, no identified victims, and no actual harm".

The Guardian - Business

There are lots of things out there that can do you harm.

The Guardian - Sport

Not to mention the accidental harm that panicked people can do to each other when crammed into confined spaces.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more evocative synonyms like "damage", "injure", or "traumatize" when aiming for a more impactful effect.

Common error

While "harm" is widely understood, in formal or academic writing, using more precise terms such as "impair", "jeopardize", or "undermine" can enhance clarity and sophistication. Opt for these when precision is key.

Linguistic Context

The word "harm" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it signifies injury, damage, or detriment. As a verb, it denotes the act of causing injury or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "harm" is a versatile term used to describe injury, damage, or negative impact, functioning as both a noun and a verb. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by numerous examples primarily from news and media sources. While appropriate in formal contexts, more precise synonyms might be preferred for enhanced clarity. Understanding its usage patterns and potential for overuse can help writers employ it effectively. Be mindful of the potential consequences of causing "harm", whether physical, emotional, or material.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause damage

Focuses on the act of causing damage, emphasizing the result rather than the potential for injury.

do damage

Similar to "cause damage", but with a slightly more active connotation.

inflict injury

Highlights the act of causing physical or emotional injury, often implying a deliberate action.

cause suffering

Highlights the experience of pain or distress caused by harm.

cause detriment

Emphasizes the negative impact or disadvantage resulting from an action or situation.

be detrimental

Describes something as being harmful or damaging in nature.

pose a threat

Shifts the focus to the potential for harm, rather than actual harm done.

have an adverse effect

Focuses on the negative effect or impact on something.

create problems

Broadens the scope to include any kind of negative consequences, not just physical or emotional harm.

lead to destruction

Emphasizes the potential for complete ruin or devastation.

FAQs

How can I use "harm" in a sentence?

You can use "harm" as a noun to refer to damage or injury, such as "The scandal caused significant "damage" to his reputation". As a verb, it means to cause damage or injury, for example, "Smoking can "cause damage" to your lungs".

What are some synonyms for "harm"?

Some synonyms for "harm" include "injury", "damage", "detriment", "trauma", and "impairment".

Is it correct to use "harm" in a formal context?

Yes, "harm" is appropriate in formal contexts, but consider using more precise or stronger synonyms like "impair", "jeopardize", or "undermine" for enhanced clarity.

What is the difference between "harm" and "damage"?

"Harm" generally refers to physical or emotional injury or damage, while "damage" typically refers to physical damage to property or reputation. Both can overlap, but "harm" often implies a more direct impact on living beings.