harmful situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harmful situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a scenario that poses danger or negative consequences to individuals or groups. Example: "The organization took immediate action to address the harmful situation affecting the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"They have to show we're creating a harmful situation so they can get a restraining order for us to stop going that way".

The New York Times

As a result, all information related with student activities will be erased which could cause a harmful situation.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Moreover, the work proposed in [10] presented a method to analyze a driver's behavior and advise drivers on sudden and harmful situation.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expected benefits of this technology can be: (a) increasing safety (e.g., by monitoring lifestyle patterns or the latest activities and providing assistance when a possibly harmful situation is developing), (b) comfort (e.g., by adjusting temperature automatically), and (c) economy (e.g., controlling the use of lights).

Springer

It wasn't warning me of a harmful situation; it was illuminating a fear that needed overcoming.

Huffington Post

As a bystander you have two options when you suspect a potentially harmful situation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Deporting children back into these harmful situations is a violation of international law," said Kennedy.

The Guardian

In using psychedelics, you run the risk experiencing a trip which may lead to harmful situations.

Columbia University

Take action: move beyond awareness of information, and use the skills available through UMatter to engage in healthy behaviors or prevent harmful situations.

Princeton University

The prevalence of child marriage has fallen slightly over the past 30 years, but a global population boom in countries where the practices are common means just as many girls are being pushed into harmful situations.

The Guardian

"By leveraging the online identity information all registered sex offenders are required to provide, we are able to help reduce potentially harmful situations," Rich Wallis, a vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft, said in a statement released by Mr. Schneiderman's office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the potential impact, be specific about who or what is affected by the "harmful situation".

Common error

While "harmful situation" is a valid phrase, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language, such as "hazardous condition" or "detrimental circumstances", to convey the specific nature of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful situation" functions as a noun phrase, with "harmful" modifying the noun "situation". It describes a scenario or set of circumstances that are likely to cause damage, injury, or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful situation" is a grammatically sound and usable term for describing scenarios that pose risks or have negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English. While its usage frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, from news reports and scientific publications to formal business communications. Alternative phrases such as "dangerous circumstance" or "adverse condition" can provide more specific connotations, depending on the intended meaning. When employing this term, consider specifying the potential impact and who or what is affected. Although the phrase is valid, avoid overuse in favor of more precise descriptions in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destructive situation

Emphasizes the potential for causing significant damage or ruin.

dangerous circumstance

Highlights the element of risk and potential for physical harm.

adverse condition

Focuses on negative or unfavorable aspects of the situation.

precarious state

Implies instability and vulnerability to negative outcomes.

risky predicament

Suggests a difficult or unpleasant situation with uncertain consequences.

unfavorable scenario

Highlights the negative outlook or potential for undesirable results.

detrimental circumstances

Stresses the potential for long-term harm or negative impact.

threatening environment

Emphasizes the presence of potential danger or hostility.

hazardous state of affairs

Highlights the danger and problematic nature of the situation.

adverse development

Highlights a negative or unfavorable turn of events.

FAQs

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

You can use "harmful situation" to describe any scenario that poses a risk or has negative consequences. For example, "The company's negligence created a "harmful situation" for its employees."

What can I say instead of "harmful situation"?

You can use alternatives like "dangerous circumstance", "adverse condition", or "risky predicament" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "potentially harmful situation"?

While "harmful" already implies a negative impact, "potentially "harmful situation"" can be used to emphasize that the negative consequences are not yet certain but are a definite possibility.

What's the difference between "harmful situation" and "dangerous situation"?

While both imply risk, "dangerous situation" often refers to immediate physical risk, whereas ""harmful situation"" can encompass a wider range of negative consequences, including emotional or psychological harm.