harm your ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harm your ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the negative impact of an action or situation on someone's skills or capabilities. Example: "Excessive screen time can harm your ability to concentrate on tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It may harm your ability to grow and costs jobs, including yours".

The New York Times

Knowledge about smoking hazards included the sum score of three yes/no questions: "Do you think smoking can harm your ability to do activities that you are used to do day by day?" "Do you think that smoking can harm organs within the body?" and "Do you think smoking can cause diseases?" The answers were summed into one score.

BMC Public Health

Not making a decision is also a form of reneging your agency (and it is still making a decision––to do nothing) and can harm your ability to care for yourself during the difficult situation.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If they say: 'This is Islam under threat', then it harms your ability to reform your society".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Turns out those all-nighters may be harming your ability to run a great business more than you think.

Huffington Post

Good news for new mothers: A study suggests that carefully regulated formula feeding before your milk comes in will not harm your baby's ability to breast-feed, and done properly, it may even help in the long run.

The New York Times

Stress can harm the ability of your immune system to work optimally, and people who are stressed tend to catch colds more than less stressed people.

WikiHow

They may do so by physically eliminating you and your ability to harm that part of them.

WikiHow

These setbacks can harm cognitive ability.

The New York Times

The police chiefs of Austin and San Antonio testified that S.B. 4 would harm their ability to work with immigrant communities.

The New Yorker

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative consequences, use "harm your ability" to clearly state the impact on skills or capabilities. For example, "Lack of sleep can harm your ability to concentrate."

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure the actor causing the harm. Instead of "Your ability can be harmed by...", use active voice: "...can harm your ability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harm your ability" functions as a verb phrase indicating a negative impact on someone's capacity or skill. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is used to express how certain actions or conditions can negatively affect one's capabilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harm your ability" is a phrase used to describe the negative impact on someone's skills or capabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, primarily in news, wiki, and scientific domains. While there are several synonyms such as "impair your ability", it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, aim for active voice to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurt your ability

Uses a more direct and common synonym for "harm".

impair your ability

Indicates a weakening or diminishing of one's ability, often in a more formal context.

diminish your capacity

Focuses on reducing the extent of one's capability, suggesting a long-term effect.

undermine your potential

Shifts the focus to future possibilities, suggesting a reduction in what one could achieve.

weaken your competence

Highlights a reduction in one's skill level, emphasizing a loss of proficiency.

compromise your effectiveness

Focuses on reducing the degree to which one can achieve desired results.

threaten your aptitude

Suggests a risk to one's natural talent or skill.

hinder your performance

Implies an obstacle to how well one can execute tasks or duties.

stifle your proficiency

Suggests a suppression or constraint on one's developed skill.

damage your skill set

Indicates harm to the range of skills one possesses, suggesting a lasting negative impact.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "harm your ability"?

Alternatives include "impair your ability", "undermine your potential", or "diminish your capacity", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Use "harm your ability" to describe a factor that negatively impacts someone's skills or capabilities. For example: "Stress can harm your ability to perform well at work."

What is the difference between "harm your ability" and "affect your ability"?

"Affect your ability" simply means to have an influence, which can be positive or negative. "Harm your ability" specifically indicates a negative impact.

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

Both are acceptable, but "harm your ability" is generally more versatile and common. "Damage your ability" might imply a more severe or long-lasting impact.