harmed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harmed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the impact of an action or event that causes damage or injury to someone or something. Example: "The community was harmed by the pollution from the factory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How can you be harmed by it?

The Guardian - Tech

Who might be harmed by the plastics?

The New York Times

No. Was anybody harmed by giving the private sector time?

The Economist

Something uncapturable in the day had been harmed by speech.

The New Yorker

(The trees were not harmed by the research).

The New York Times

These, too, could have been harmed by the spraying.

The New York Times

"Visitors have been harmed by inmates in the visitation areas.

The New York Times

He would also be harmed by 2.7 points in Colorado.

The New York Times - Magazine

Most children are harmed by family members or acquaintances.

The Economist

"How is the state harmed by this?" he said.

The New York Times

Webb said adults were harmed by detention too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harmed by" to convey direct or indirect negative consequences, like "the environment was harmed by pollution" or "the community was harmed by the policy change".

Common error

Avoid using "harmed by" with overly abstract or intangible subjects where the negative impact is not readily evident. For example, saying "the idea was harmed by criticism" is less impactful than specifying how the idea's implementation or reception was negatively affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has experienced a negative impact or damage as a result of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harmed by" is a versatile and commonly used expression that effectively conveys a negative impact or damage resulting from a specific cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. When using "harmed by", be sure to clearly identify the subject experiencing the negative impact and consider alternative phrases like "adversely affected by" or "negatively impacted by" for greater precision. Remember that while "affected by" is neutral, the phrase "harmed by" is used to indicates explicitly a negative or detrimental impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adversely affected by

Emphasizes a negative impact or influence, focusing on the unfavorable consequences.

negatively impacted by

Highlights the detrimental influence, suggesting a less direct or immediate effect.

damaged by

Focuses on physical or structural damage, implying a tangible negative outcome.

injured by

Implies physical or emotional harm, often suggesting a more direct and personal impact.

prejudiced by

Indicates unfair treatment or disadvantage, specifically highlighting bias.

compromised by

Suggests that something has been weakened or made vulnerable as a result of an action or event.

impaired by

Focuses on the reduction of functionality or ability, suggesting a diminished capacity.

weakened by

Highlights a loss of strength or resilience, often indicating a gradual decline.

endangered by

Implies a threat to survival or safety, often used in the context of species or environments.

jeopardized by

Suggests that something has been put at risk or in danger.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "harmed by"?

Alternatives include "adversely affected by", "negatively impacted by", or "damaged by", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "harmed by" in a sentence?

Use "harmed by" to describe the negative impact of something on someone or something else. For instance, "The ecosystem was harmed by the oil spill".

Is "harmed by" formal or informal?

"Harmed by" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or scientific writing, you might consider more precise synonyms like "adversely affected by".

What's the difference between "harmed by" and "affected by"?

"Affected by" is a more neutral term, simply indicating an influence. "Harmed by" specifically implies a negative or detrimental impact. For example, "The company was affected by the new regulations" versus "The company was harmed by the scandal".