harmful effects

USAGE SUMMARY

"harmful effects" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe negative consequences. For example, "The harmful effects of smoking cannot be underestimated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Navy disputes reports of harmful effects.

The New York Times

An earlier version said "potentially unintended harmful effects" where "unintended potentially harmful effects" was meant.

The Guardian

And you know see the harmful effects.

Harvard Business Review

The whole process is not without harmful effects either.

The Guardian - Sport

Its "pervasive negative portrayals" are accused of having "harmful effects".

The Guardian - Film

radiation: harmful effectsThe harmful effects of radiation from nuclear bombing.

Britannica

Dow also says they do not produce any harmful effects.

The Washington Post

The harmful effects of radiation from nuclear bombing.

Britannica

No harmful effects on patients have been reported.

The New York Times

Some consider the harmful effects of the "free market" ideology.

Harvard University

Drugs that magnify sunlight's harmful effects require extra precautions.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific or medical topics, be specific about the nature of the "harmful effects". For instance, instead of just saying "the drug has harmful effects", detail what those effects are (e.g. "the drug has harmful effects on liver function").

Common error

Avoid using "harmful effects" as a vague, catch-all term. Always strive to quantify or qualify the impact, making your statements more impactful and informative. Specify what is affected and the degree of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful effects" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes the negative results or consequences of a particular action, substance, or situation. As seen in Ludwig, Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful effects" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe negative consequences, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts. While widely accepted, it's important to be specific about the nature and extent of the harm rather than using it as a vague generalization. Consider alternatives such as "adverse consequences" or "negative impacts" for nuanced communication. Ludwig AI emphasizes its correct usage and broad applicability in expressing negative outcomes across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adverse consequences

Uses a different noun ("consequences" instead of "effects") and adjective ("adverse" instead of "harmful") to convey a similar meaning.

negative impacts

Replaces "effects" with "impacts" and "harmful" with "negative", offering a slight variation in tone.

detrimental impacts

Substitutes "harmful" with "detrimental", suggesting a more significant level of damage.

damaging repercussions

Emphasizes the long-term consequences by using "repercussions" and "damaging" to describe the effects.

injurious outcomes

Replaces "effects" with "outcomes" and uses "injurious" to highlight the potential for injury or harm.

deleterious results

Uses "deleterious" to indicate a harmful or damaging effect specifically on health or well-being.

pernicious consequences

Emphasizes the gradual or subtle harm caused by the effects, using "pernicious".

unfavorable outcomes

Presents a milder form of negative effects, using "unfavorable" to suggest undesirable results.

adverse reactions

Specifically describes negative effects in response to something, like a medication or treatment.

unhealthy side effects

Highlights the negative health-related consequences, often associated with medical treatments or environmental factors.

FAQs

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

You can use "harmful effects" to describe the negative consequences of something. For instance, "The "harmful effects" of pollution include respiratory problems and environmental damage."

What are some alternatives to "harmful effects"?

Alternatives include "adverse consequences", "negative impacts", or "detrimental impacts". The best choice depends on the context.

Which is correct: "harmful effects" or "harmless effects"?

"Harmful effects" refers to negative consequences, while "harmless effects" implies no negative consequences. The correct choice depends on the actual outcome you are describing.

What are the "harmful effects" of social media?

The "harmful effects" of social media may include decreased self-esteem, increased social isolation, and exposure to cyberbullying. However, social media also has positive aspects. Each of these effects can be related to a series of issues, such as the reduced socialization.