harmful effect on

USAGE SUMMARY

"harmful effect on" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the negative impact that something has on something else. Example: The use of plastic bags has had a harmful effect on the environment, leading to pollution and harm to wildlife.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These results strongly suggest that although fertilization had occurred normally, µG conditions had a harmful effect on embryo development even after one day of exposure.

Plosone

A one-generation reproductive toxicity study with rats suggests no harmful effect on reproduction (Mylchreest et al. 2005).

Environmental Health Perspectives

"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

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

OPEC continued to raise oil prices &this has had a harmful effect on our economy & balance of payments.

The New Yorker

The European commission's ruling would have a "profound and harmful effect" on investment and job creation in Europe, he said.

The Guardian - Business

These threats, Mishkin writes, "are having a direct, immediate and harmful effect" on efforts to reach a new labor deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your statement, quantify the "harmful effect on" if possible. Instead of saying "Social media has a harmful effect on mental health", consider specifying: "Excessive social media use has a harmful effect on sleep patterns and self-esteem."

Common error

Avoid making broad, unsupported claims about the "harmful effect on" a subject. Always provide specific evidence or examples to support your assertion, as vague statements weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful effect on" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to describe the detrimental impact or consequence that something has on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful effect on" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a negative impact. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and broad application across diverse contexts. It is most frequently used in scientific and news media sources to express concern, highlight risks, or criticize actions with negative consequences. Related phrases include "adverse impact on" and "detrimental influence on". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both the cause and the affected entity, and avoid overgeneralizations by providing supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adverse impact on

Replaces "effect" with "impact", implying a strong and often sudden negative consequence.

detrimental influence on

Substitutes "effect" with "influence", suggesting a more subtle and gradual negative impact.

negative consequence for

Replaces "effect" with "consequence", focusing on the result of an action or situation.

damaging impact on

Replaces "harmful" with "damaging", which implies a more destructive effect.

injurious impact on

Substitutes "harmful" with "injurious", suggesting a direct and often physical harm.

deleterious consequences for

Uses "deleterious" to describe severe harm and replaces "effect" with "consequences".

prejudicial influence on

Replaces "harmful" with "prejudicial", suggesting an unfair or biased negative impact.

unfavorable outcome for

Substitutes "effect" with "outcome", focusing on the negative result or conclusion.

hazardous impact on

Replaces "harmful" with "hazardous", implying risk or danger.

noxious influence on

Replaces "harmful" with "noxious", emphasizing a toxic or poisonous effect.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "harmful effect on"?

Alternatives include "adverse impact on", "detrimental influence on", or "negative consequence for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Use it to describe the negative impact of something. For example: "The new policy has a harmful effect on small businesses."

What's the difference between "harmful effect on" and "negative impact on"?

While similar, "harmful effect on" emphasizes the damage caused, whereas "negative impact on" is a broader term that can refer to any adverse influence, not necessarily one causing direct harm.

Is it correct to say "harmful affect on" instead of "harmful effect on"?

No, "affect" is usually a verb, while "effect" is a noun. Therefore, "harmful effect on" is the correct phrase to describe a negative impact.