harmful consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harmful consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to any unwanted results or outcomes that are caused by an action, decision, policy, or some other factor. For example, "Many people are unaware of the harmful consequences of smoking, such as an increased risk of cancer and heart disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has vast, harmful consequences.

The New Yorker

This will have two harmful consequences.

The Economist

–Explain how this invention or discovery has led to harmful consequences or could lead to harmful consequences.

The New York Times

Our membership did rise, but Mr. Nader ignores the harmful consequences of the Reagan-Watt tenure.

The New York Times

Fiddling with taxes on businesses can also have harmful consequences, Mr. Goldberg said.

The New York Times

Throughout history, what scientific discoveries have had both beneficial and harmful consequences?

The New York Times

Offenders are encouraged to understand the harmful consequences of their behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, the offender had to acknowledge the deviance — and harmful consequences — of his behavior.

The New Yorker

Occasionally the transfer of maternal antibodies during fetal life can have harmful consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The perversity arises because making water cheap, especially to crop farmers, leads to excessive use and unintended, environmentally harmful consequences.

The Guardian

Moreover, these false positives will receive further treatments, a good percentage of which will have harmful consequences.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential future impacts, use "harmful consequences" to clearly communicate the potential for negative outcomes. This adds weight and seriousness to your analysis.

Common error

While "harmful consequences" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "bad effects" or "negative results" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful consequences" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the negative or damaging outcomes resulting from a particular action, event, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful consequences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe negative outcomes, as validated by Ludwig AI. Analysis of its usage reveals it's common across diverse fields like news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives such as "negative impacts" or "adverse effects" exist, "harmful consequences" often emphasizes a more severe impact. A key writing tip is to reserve this stronger phrase for situations where the potential for significant harm is real. While correct, in some informal situations, it may sound stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative consequences

Replaces "harmful" with a common and direct synonym.

damaging consequences

Focuses on the aspect of damage caused by the consequences.

unfavourable consequences

Replaces "harmful" with a more general term for something negative.

adverse consequences

Replaces "harmful" with a more formal and general term for negative effects.

dangerous consequences

Focuses specifically on consequences that pose a threat or hazard.

deleterious consequences

Substitutes "harmful" with a more formal and technical synonym.

injurious consequences

Highlights the aspect of injury or harm caused by the consequences.

destructive consequences

Emphasizes the potential for destruction or ruin caused by the consequences.

pernicious consequences

Emphasizes the gradual and subtle harm caused by the consequences.

unintended negative outcomes

Shifts the focus to unexpected and undesirable results.

FAQs

How can I use "harmful consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "harmful consequences" to describe the negative results of an action or situation. For instance, "The policy changes had "harmful consequences" for small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "harmful consequences"?

Alternatives include "negative impacts", "adverse effects", or "deleterious outcomes" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "harmful consequences" or "negative consequences"?

Both "harmful consequences" and "negative consequences" are correct, but "harmful consequences" may emphasize a more severe or damaging impact than simply "negative".

What's the difference between "harmful consequences" and "side effects"?

"Harmful consequences" generally refers to broad negative outcomes, while "side effects" typically refers to unintended, often negative, results of a specific treatment or intervention.