harmful influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"harmful influence" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a negative effect that a person, event, or thing has on someone or something else. For example, "The aggressive football player had a harmful influence on the other kids in the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

General discussions about negative impacts

Scientific research on detrimental effects

Media reports on harmful actions or substances

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

So as their levels fall, the harmful influence of nitrous oxide increases.

The New York Times - Science

This isolation has not put the islands beyond the harmful influence of humans, however.

The Guardian

Allowing kids access to repeated unhealthy messages and gender stereotypes can have a harmful influence on kids.

The Guardian - Film

Russia must shield itself from this harmful influence and preserve its own traditional values, based on Orthodoxy and past glory.

The Economist

Richard C. Geschke Bristol, Conn., June 20 , 2009• To the Editor: Zev Chafets attempts to diminish the harmful influence steroid-using stars have on young athletes.

The New York Times

However, because narcissistic leaders can have harmful influence, it is important to consider the characteristics of their subordinates in the organization.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Any restriction in accessing warehouses leads to harmful influences in the network operations.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Second-generation immigrants, argues Ms Bersani, become as susceptible to temptation and harmful influences as other Americans.

The Economist

"Not only is this area supporting the bust, it is also quite often, in the summer, exposed to one of the most harmful influences to our skin - UV rays.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since all positive values basically lie in the people on hand, so the con- stitution can have a great negative impact when it has harmful influences & obstructs the free play of forces among people.

Princeton University

Doctors, social agencies and community groups that have long been frustrated by the inability to alleviate environmental conditions that contribute to ailments like heart disease and obesity are promoting the idea that a shift in land-use planning and design can stanch some of the harmful influences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "harmful influence", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being negatively affected. Specificity enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of harm. While "harmful influence" implies a negative impact, using overly dramatic language can weaken your credibility. Use precise language to accurately convey the level of severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful influence" functions as a noun phrase, where "harmful" modifies the noun "influence". Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing something that has a detrimental effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Huffington Post

5%

The Economist

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful influence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing negative impacts. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. Analysis of Ludwig examples highlights its prevalence in "News & Media" and "Science", and indicates a neutral register. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being negatively affected and avoid exaggerating the level of harm. Consider alternatives such as "detrimental impact" or "adverse effect" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimental impact

Replaces "influence" with "impact" emphasizing the effect's force.

adverse effect

Substitutes both words with synonyms focusing on unfavorable results.

negative impact

Replaces "harmful" with "negative" for a broader term.

damaging effect

Changes "harmful" to "damaging" and "influence" to "effect" highlighting the potential for injury.

deleterious consequence

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a bad outcome.

injurious effect

Emphasizes the potential for causing harm or injury.

pernicious effect

Implies a subtle but gradually destructive impact.

unfavorable outcome

Replaces "influence" to focuses on the result or conclusion.

corrupting influence

Suggests moral decay or degradation.

toxic effect

Suggests the effect is poisonous or has a strong negative impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "harmful influence" to describe the negative impact someone or something has on another. For example, "The aggressive football player had a "harmful influence" on the other kids in the team."

What are some alternatives to "harmful influence"?

Some alternatives include "detrimental impact", "adverse effect", or "negative impact".

Is "harmful influence" different from "negative effect"?

While similar, "harmful influence" often implies a more direct or intentional impact, while "negative effect" is a broader term for any unfavorable outcome.

In what contexts is "harmful influence" commonly used?

"Harmful influence" is used in various contexts, including discussing the "harmful influence" of social media, environmental toxins, or even leadership styles.