harm against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harm against" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing the prevention or protection from harm, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The organization works to prevent harm against vulnerable populations."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I had no harm against the place.

The New York Times

What you need to weigh is the possibility for harm against the potential for benefit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Judge Ivana Ramic said Mr. Kovacevic was sentenced for "inflicting severe bodily harm" against Mr. Steinhauer.

The New York Times

"It is an act of harm against Brazilian women by the state".

The Guardian

Is the kitchen involved in acts of grievous bodily harm against innocent ingredients?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Muhammad Zweid, secretary of the Libyan Parliament, said the intervention had "caused some real harm against civilians and buildings".

The New York Times

They had earlier admitted actual bodily harm against Kristy's sister Kelly and a younger sister, who cannot be named.

The Guardian

The numbers, contained in National Health Service data, suggest that the incidence of intentional harm against children may be rising.

The Guardian

Valentino, 31, from Rome, faces charges of "grievous and incurable bodily harm" against the women, who are aged between 20 and 30.

Independent

Before Sann Aung could question Thein Win, the court charged Saungkha with an additional count: inspiring others to commit harm against the state or to disturb the public.

The New Yorker

Figures tell us that "young men are very much more likely to commit an aggressive act of self harm against themselves", he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical considerations, carefully assess if "harm against" accurately conveys the intended meaning. Alternative phrases like "harm to" or "inflict harm on" might be more precise and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "harm against" in contexts where "harm to" or "harm towards" more naturally describe the relationship. For instance, instead of "policies causing harm against the environment", consider "policies causing harm to the environment" to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

"Harm against" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically following verbs or nouns to indicate the recipient or target of harm. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts involving physical harm, emotional distress, or systemic disadvantage. Ludwig AI suggests its usage can sometimes be improved with alternatives like "harm to".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "harm against" is frequently used, particularly in news and media and scientific contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it may not always be the most natural or grammatically sound choice. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it typically functions to specify the target of a harmful action. Depending on the context, alternatives such as "harm to", "inflict harm on", or "cause harm to" may provide greater clarity and precision. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and choose the phrasing that best aligns with both grammatical correctness and stylistic preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harm towards

Changes the preposition to "towards", indicating directionality of the harm.

harm directed at

Replaces "against" with "directed at", emphasizing intentionality.

inflict harm on

Uses the verb "inflict" to highlight the act of causing harm, and changes the preposition to "on".

cause harm to

Employs "cause" to express the act of bringing about harm, and changes the preposition to "to".

do harm to

Uses "do harm" to convey the action of causing harm, with "to" as the preposition.

injury to

Substitutes "harm" with "injury", focusing on physical or emotional damage, with preposition "to".

damage to

Replaces "harm" with "damage", suggesting broader implications beyond physical harm and uses the preposition "to".

detriment to

Uses "detriment" instead of "harm", implying a negative impact or disadvantage, with "to" as the preposition.

prejudice against

Replaces "harm" with "prejudice", specifically referring to biased attitudes or actions.

discrimination against

Employs "discrimination" instead of "harm", indicating unfair treatment or actions based on group affiliation.

FAQs

Is "harm against" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, Ludwig AI notes that "harm against" can sound awkward. More common and grammatically standard alternatives include "harm to" or "harm towards".

What are some alternatives to "harm against"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "inflict harm on", "cause harm to", or "do harm to" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to use "harm against"?

The phrase "harm against" is often used in contexts discussing actions intended to cause harm to a specific group or entity. However, ensure the phrasing sounds natural and clear, as alternatives might be preferable.

What is the difference between "harm against" and "harm to"?

"Harm to" generally indicates that someone or something experiences damage or injury. "Harm against" can imply a more direct action aimed at causing damage, although the distinction can be subtle and context-dependent. Using "harm to" is generally safer for broader acceptance.