harmful effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"harmful effect" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event or action that has a detrimental impact on someone or something. For example, "Smoking has many harmful effects on the human body."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The potentially harmful effect of NSAIDs may vary, depending on whether patients receive effective antibiotic therapy.

Critical Care

"There is no evidence of a real harmful effect".

The New York Times - Health

"It could have a harmful effect on our economy".

The New York Times

ABC's descent had had a harmful effect on the stock fortunes of Disney.

The New York Times

Obsessively ruminating about how miserable life is, studies show, can have a harmful effect on health.

The New York Times - Health

Inflation may well become rampant, but its harmful effect could be very temporary".

The Guardian - Business

According to Johann Hari's excellent book on the harmful effect of monarchy, God Save the Queen?

The Guardian - Opinion

They are designing precision therapies that will block the harmful effect of these genes for good.

The New York Times

In a written judgment, Mr Justice Lindblom ruled that the Daily Star Sunday story was likely to have a "very significant harmful effect on the claimant" and a "harmful effect on his... emotional well-being".

The Guardian

Local businesses have been quietly lobbying against the legislation, fearing it may have a harmful effect on recruitment.

The Guardian

"It feeds into a fear of rape and sexual violence and has a harmful effect on broader issues of equality".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, quantify the "harmful effect" whenever possible. Instead of saying "the chemical has a harmful effect", specify "the chemical reduces plant growth by 20%".

Common error

Avoid using "harmful effect" as a catch-all term. Instead of stating something has a "harmful effect", be specific about what is harmed and how. For example, clarify if it affects the environment, health, or economy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful effect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It names the negative consequence or impact of a specific action, substance, or event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harmful effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across varied domains. As noted by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to denote negative consequences, serving the purpose of informing or warning about potential detriments. While its register is generally neutral, it is commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts. For effective writing, quantify the effect and specify what is harmed, avoiding vague descriptions. Semantically related alternatives include "adverse impact" and "detrimental impact", which offer nuances in meaning. Therefore, "harmful effect" is useful for communicating negative repercussions, with careful consideration of the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adverse impact

Focuses on the negative influence or consequence resulting from a particular action or situation.

detrimental impact

Emphasizes the damaging or injurious nature of the effect.

negative consequence

Highlights the undesirable outcome or result of something.

damaging consequence

Underscores the harm or injury caused by the result.

ill effect

A more concise way to describe a bad or negative result.

deleterious consequence

Stresses the harm and often lasting impact of the result.

injurious consequence

Focuses more strongly on the injury or damage as an outcome.

negative repercussions

Emphasizes the cascading and far-reaching effects of a negative action.

unfavorable outcome

Focuses on the disappointment or lack of desired result.

undesirable outcome

Similar to "unfavorable outcome" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on avoidance.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "harmful effect"?

Alternatives include "adverse impact", "detrimental impact", or "negative consequence", depending on the specific context.

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

You might say, "The study revealed the "harmful effect" of pollution on respiratory health" or "The new policy could have a "harmful effect" on small businesses".

Is "harmful effect" the same as "side effect"?

While both describe negative results, "side effect" typically refers to unintended consequences of a medical treatment or drug, while "harmful effect" is a broader term that can apply to any negative consequence.

What is the difference between "harmful effect" and "dangerous effect"?

"Dangerous effect" implies a direct threat to safety or well-being, while "harmful effect" is more general and can encompass a wider range of negative impacts, not all of which are immediately life-threatening.