harming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'harming' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a verb in the present participle form, meaning to do something that is detrimental or damaging. Example: The insensitive words he said were harming the relationship between them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They see the mother as responsible for consciously disabling her child, but I assume they distinguish between a mother aborting a foetus and a mother harming a foetus she intends to bring to life.

The Guardian - Opinion

A statement from the office of the prosecutor general, Hisham Barakat, accuses the journalists of setting up a media network with the aim of "tarnishing Egypt's image abroad and harming Egypt's image abroad and harming its political position".

The Guardian

And the UK says the statehood bid could end up harming Palestinian interests if the Israeli reaction is so severe that it sets back the prospects for peace.

The Guardian

It's ripping off passengers, harming the economy and failing the environment".

The Guardian

In addition to harming American workers, the TPP would increase the price of life-saving prescription drugs in poor countries by making it harder for them to obtain affordable generic drugs.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to attendees, Snowden argued that his leaks were serving, rather than harming, the American people.

The Guardian

But by late afternoon, the arguments were intensifying and Jeanetta was talking about harming herself.

The Guardian

This takes a small plug of flesh from the whale, without harming it.

The Guardian

West quickly deduced that explaining the killer's unusual eagerness to avoid harming his victims before he killed them was the key to the murderer's mental make-up.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He added that treatment options could not be used because of her autism and self-harming.

The Guardian

Girls are much more likely to injure themselves deliberately than boys: 11% of girls admitted to self-harming in the preceding year, compared with 3% of boys.The practice has been growing fast, according to Chris Holley, a nurse at St George's Hospital in Stafford and a specialist in self-harming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harming", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is being harmed and the nature of the harm. Using specific language enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "harming" in contexts where the negative impact is minimal or indirect. Opt for words like "inconveniencing" or "affecting" when the impact is less severe.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "harming" is as a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showcasing its role in describing an ongoing action that causes damage or detriment, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harming" functions as a present participle used to express the act of causing damage or negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with usage spanning across neutral to formal registers, but its meaning stays consistent in conveying a detrimental action. This term is commonly found in news and media, but also relevant in formal and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity and impact, specify the subject and the nature of the harm. Avoid using "harming" when the negative impact is minimal; instead, opt for milder alternatives. Overall, "harming" is a versatile term for expressing that someone or something is causing damage, provided it aligns with the context's severity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing harm to

A more direct and general way of expressing the act of harming.

causing damage to

Focuses more on the resulting damage rather than the act itself.

adversely affecting

A more formal way of saying causing a negative impact.

inflicting injury on

Emphasizes the infliction of physical or emotional injury.

impairing

Suggests a weakening or diminishing of something's quality or function.

endangering

Focuses on placing someone or something in a dangerous situation.

jeopardizing

Highlights the risk or potential danger being created.

compromising

Indicates weakening or undermining something.

undermining

Focuses on weakening something gradually or insidiously.

sabotaging

Implies deliberate action to undermine or damage something.

FAQs

How is "harming" different from "hurting"?

"Harming" generally implies a more significant and lasting negative impact, whereas "hurting" can refer to both physical and emotional pain that may be less severe.

What are some synonyms for "harming" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider using synonyms like "adversely affecting", "jeopardizing", or "compromising" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it always wrong to use "harming"?

No, "harming" is grammatically correct and appropriate when you want to express that someone or something is causing damage or injury. Just ensure that the term aligns with the severity of the situation you're describing.

How to use "harming" in a sentence?

You can use "harming" as a present participle, for example: "The company's policies are harming the environment" or "He was accused of harming the victim".