harm the ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harm the ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative impact on someone's or something's capacity to perform a task or function effectively. Example: "Excessive stress can harm the ability to concentrate and make sound decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The world's most widely used insecticides harm the ability of bumblebees to pollinate apple trees, scientists have discovered.

The Guardian

They say that getting too far ahead of other states would harm the ability of New York businesses to compete economically.

The New York Times

Amid signs that there may be a government U-turn on parts of the bill, Labour is warning it will harm the ability of charities, campaign groups, trade unions, think tanks, blogs and others to contribute to public debate at a time when we should be encouraging greater participation, not putting barriers in place.

The Guardian

"It's really a bad decision, and it is not only going to harm the ability of the United Nations to function on human rights issues because the United States was the one who was depended upon to introduce some of the resolutions, but I also believe that it will harm the United Nations," Dr. Albright said.

The New York Times

Fewer studies have examined the health impacts of more mundane, chronic noises on terrestrial species, but proof is emerging that the droning of freeway traffic and the 24/7 rumbling of natural-gas-pipeline compressors directly harm the ability of birds nesting nearby to reproduce.

The New York Times - Magazine

Among other things, Defendants irreparably harm the ability of Blizzard's legitimate customers (i.e. those who purchase and use unmodified games) to enjoy and participate in the competitive online experience.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It appeared that the reactors withstood the powerful earthquake, but the ocean waves damaged generators and backup systems, harming the ability to cool the reactors.

The New York Times

And so continued Windows 7 usage harms the ability of Windows to move into the new computing era.

TechCrunch

With the state prosecutor's investigation still underway, it remains unclear whether the failure to interview the girl seriously harmed the ability to prosecute Zimmerman.

Huffington Post

Carney also criticizes Obama's food safety bill, linking to an older post of his charging the bill with harming the ability of small farms to compete.

Huffington Post

The current U.S. tax code is fundamentally broken and absolutely harms the ability of American companies to grow domestically and internationally.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harm the ability", ensure that the context clearly specifies what ability is being affected and the source of the harm. This adds precision and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "harm the ability" without a clearly defined subject. For example, instead of saying "This will harm the ability", specify "This policy will harm the ability of small businesses to compete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harm the ability" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of negatively affecting someone's or something's capacity. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is used to indicate a detrimental impact on a specific skill or competence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harm the ability" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing a negative impact on someone's or something's capacity. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase, highlighting its suitability for expressing concern or criticism regarding factors that undermine skills or competencies. While not extremely frequent, "harm the ability" appears consistently across news media, scientific publications, and general writing. To ensure clarity, specify the affected ability and the source of the harm. Alternatives include "impair the capacity" or "diminish the capability", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impair the capacity

Replaces "harm" with "impair" and "ability" with "capacity", suggesting a weakening or diminishing effect.

diminish the capability

Uses "diminish" instead of "harm" and "capability" for "ability", indicating a reduction in power or effectiveness.

weaken the capacity

Employs "weaken" to replace "harm", signifying a reduction in strength or effectiveness of the "capacity".

undermine the potential

Substitutes "harm" with "undermine" and "ability" with "potential", suggesting a gradual weakening of future possibilities.

compromise the skill

Replaces "harm" with "compromise" and "ability" with "skill", implying a lessening of proficiency or expertise.

jeopardize the faculty

Uses "jeopardize" for "harm" and "faculty" for "ability", indicating a risk to an inherent mental or physical power.

hinder the power

Employs "hinder" instead of "harm" and "power" for "ability", suggesting an obstruction or delay in achieving something.

damage the competence

Substitutes "harm" with "damage" and "ability" with "competence", indicating a physical or functional impairment.

reduce the proficiency

Uses "reduce" to replace "harm" and "proficiency" for "ability", implying a decrease in expertise or skill level.

lessen the aptitude

Replaces "harm" with "lessen" and "ability" with "aptitude", suggesting a reduction in natural talent or inclination.

FAQs

How can I use "harm the ability" in a sentence?

You can use "harm the ability" to describe how something negatively affects someone's or something's capacity to perform a task. For instance, "Stress can "harm the ability" to concentrate" or "Pollution can "harm the ability" of plants to photosynthesize".

What are some alternatives to "harm the ability"?

Alternatives include "impair the capacity", "diminish the capability", or "weaken the capacity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "harm the ability" or "damage the ability"?

"Harm the ability" and "damage the ability" are both acceptable, but "damage" often implies a more direct or physical effect. "Harm" can be used more broadly for less tangible effects. Therefore, depending on the context one can be more suited than the other.

What's the difference between "harm the ability" and "hinder the ability"?

"Harm the ability" suggests a reduction in capability, while "hinder the ability" suggests an obstruction or delay. For example, high taxes "harm the ability" of business to thrive, while red tape hinder the ability of businesses to expand.