harm each other

USAGE SUMMARY

'harm each other' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe when two or more individuals cause each other physical or emotional hurt. For example, "The two siblings often bicker and end up harming each other when their tempers flare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They help and gravely harm each other.

The New Yorker

What gives us such cause to harm each other?

The New Yorker

That said, they don't mean to harm each other.

The Guardian - Sport

Serious injuries are rare, since camels can usually harm each other only by biting, and during fights they are muzzled.

The New York Times

OF ALL the nasty ways people have devised to harm each other, chemical weapons are among the worst.

The Economist

In prison, women turn their rage and pain inwards, against themselves, mutilating their bodies, while the men more often harm each other.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Both U.S. & the Soviet Union appear to have harmed themselves with their interventions more than they have harmed each other.

The New Yorker

Both sides have covertly and overtly harmed each other in recent years, compounding distrust.However, mutual suspicion is also driven by pride, ignorance, historical grievances and partisan self-interest.

The Economist

We traditionally invoke factors such as long hours, demanding patients and unending bureaucracy as the cause but perhaps it is worth asking what role doctors play in harming each other, however unintentionally.

The Guardian - Opinion

In other words, I believe intervening, short of keeping the boys from really harming each other, would have made the conflict worse by adding my energy to the fight, while blocking the boys from settling it themselves, which ultimately is how children learn most: from their peers more than from their parents.

The New York Times

For this good to be realized, it is argued, there must be the bona fide possibility of persons harming each other.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing conflicts or disagreements, use "harm each other" to describe situations where actions or words result in tangible negative outcomes for all parties involved.

Common error

Avoid using "harm each other" when describing minor disagreements or playful banter. This phrase implies a significant negative impact, and its overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harm each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating that two or more entities are both the subject and object of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing mutual infliction of damage or injury. Its purpose is to show the action is bidirectional.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harm each other" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a reciprocal exchange of damage or injury, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting its applicability across various domains. While it can refer to physical harm, it often encompasses emotional or psychological distress. To maintain clarity and impact, it's best to use this phrase when describing situations with significant negative consequences and to avoid overuse in trivial scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

injure one another

Focuses specifically on physical injury rather than general harm.

cause each other pain

Emphasizes the infliction of pain, whether physical or emotional.

inflict damage upon each other

Highlights the act of causing damage, often in a more formal or serious context.

do damage to one another

Similar to inflicting damage, but with a slightly less formal tone.

abuse one another

Suggests a pattern of harmful behavior, often involving power imbalances.

mistreat each other

Implies unkind or unfair treatment, potentially leading to harm.

cause suffering to each other

Highlights the emotional or physical distress experienced.

prejudice each other

Indicates harm based on bias, not necessarily physical.

attack one another

Focuses on direct aggression and hostility.

fight each other

Focuses on an engagement in mutual combat.

FAQs

What does "harm each other" mean?

The phrase "harm each other" signifies that two or more parties are causing damage, injury, or distress to one another, whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically.

How can I use "harm each other" in a sentence?

You can use "harm each other" to describe situations where there's a reciprocal negative impact. For example, "The constant arguments were causing the couple to harm each other emotionally."

What are some alternatives to "harm each other"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "injure one another", "cause each other pain", or "inflict damage upon each other". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always physical when parties "harm each other"?

No, "harm each other" isn't limited to physical harm. It can also refer to emotional, psychological, or even financial harm depending on the situation. In some instances, the "harm" may be unintentional.