harmful impact

USAGE SUMMARY

"harmful impact" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the negative effect or consequence of something on a person, group, or situation. Example: The increase in pollution has had a harmful impact on the local wildlife and ecosystems.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added: "It has no harmful impact, no harmful impact at all in its natural state.

Independent

No, this technology may have a harmful impact on my behavior.

The New York Times - Tech

But overlooking the harmful impact of this corrosive media control is done at great risk.

The New York Times

Nutt and his colleagues argued that the limitations of cannabis research had had a harmful impact on UK pharmaceutical productivity.

The Guardian

It wants amendments to protect the elderly, the chronically ill, the poor, and Indigenous Australians from the "harmful impact".

The Guardian

There has been concern for instance that Scottish government decision to reduce air passenger duty is going to have a harmful impact on airports in northern England.

The Guardian

But these efforts should never be used to distract policy makers, regulators, and consumers from the greater, harmful impact a company like Dow has.

The Guardian

Giant quantities of fats and sugars have not, historically, been available to a developing fetus, so it wouldn't be surprising if they do have a harmful impact.

The New York Times

Finally, there is the harmful impact on the health and social cohesion of local communities caused by growing drug consumption by people within the region.

The Guardian - Opinion

The potentially harmful impact of sheer decibels, many times amplified, on the ears of rock musicians and audiences has received wide attention over recent decades.

The New York Times - Arts

One difficulty is that most of the brook-trout waters are higher than 3,000 feet, where the acid rain has had the most harmful impact.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "harmful impact" of something, be specific about what is being affected and how. Providing concrete examples strengthens your argument and makes it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid using "harmful impact" as a generic term. Instead of simply stating that something has a "harmful impact", specify the nature and extent of the harm. For instance, instead of "The policy had a harmful impact", try "The policy led to a decrease in funding for essential social services".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful impact" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes the negative or detrimental consequence of something, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harmful impact" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the negative consequences of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. Its frequency is high in both news and scientific domains, indicating its relevance in both public discourse and academic research. When using this phrase, it's best to be specific about the affected entity and the nature of the harm. While similar to terms like "negative impact", "harmful impact" carries a stronger connotation of damage or injury. Understanding these nuances can help writers communicate more precisely and persuasively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Detrimental effect

Replaces "impact" with "effect" and "harmful" with "detrimental", conveying a slightly more formal tone.

Detrimental consequence

Replaces 'impact' with 'consequence', offering a formal and slightly more detached tone.

Injurious effect

Substitutes "harmful" with "injurious", suggesting potential harm or damage.

Adverse consequence

Substitutes "harmful" with "adverse" and "impact" with "consequence", suggesting a negative outcome that is often unintended.

Ill effect

A shorter, more concise way to express a negative impact.

Damaging repercussions

Uses stronger terms like "damaging" and "repercussions" to emphasize the severity of the negative effect.

Negative influence

Replaces "impact" with "influence", implying a more indirect or subtle effect.

Destructive influence

Highlights the severity of damage or destruction caused by the effect.

Unfavorable outcome

Replaces the more direct term with an outcome-based phrasing.

Disadvantageous result

Focuses on the negative impact regarding advantages being lost.

FAQs

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

You can use "harmful impact" to describe the negative consequences of an action or situation. For example: "The factory's emissions have a "harmful impact" on the environment".

What are some alternatives to "harmful impact"?

Alternatives include "detrimental effect", "adverse consequence", and "negative influence". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "harmful impact" the same as "negative impact"?

"Harmful impact" and "negative impact" are similar, but "harmful" suggests a greater degree of damage or injury. "Negative" can encompass less severe effects.

What are the long-term effects of something having a "harmful impact"?

The long-term effects depend on what is being impacted. A "harmful impact" on the environment could lead to species extinction, while a "harmful impact" on public health could result in increased disease rates.