has been harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been harmed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a past event where someone or something was damaged, injured, or negatively affected in some way. Example: The environment has been harmed by the excessive use of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. In this sentence, "has been harmed" indicates that the environment has already suffered from the negative effects of plastic usage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No detainee has been harmed.

The Economist

"The honour of Paris has been harmed," she whinged.

Independent

"None of us has been harmed," Mr. Abdi said.

The New York Times

So far there is no indication that anyone has been harmed by eating contaminated food.

The New York Times - Science

The other fish know that their school mate has been harmed.

The New York Times - Health

Ms Bachelet has been harmed by allegations concerning her son's business dealings.

The Economist

Even members of Al Qaeda admit that their cause has been harmed by indiscriminate violence.

The New Yorker

Both the US and UK have since acknowledged no one has been harmed.

The Guardian

No matter how old Danny Almonte is, he has been harmed by adults.

The New York Times - Sports

Officers say, despite her father's fears, there is no evidence Becky has been harmed.

The Guardian

"Huntsman has been harmed by both Hexion's and the banks' actions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been harmed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what has experienced the harm and, if relevant, the cause of the harm. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "has been harm" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "has been harmed", which uses the past participle of the verb 'harm'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been harmed" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that someone or something has received damage or injury at some point in the past, with the effects potentially continuing into the present. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been harmed" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that something or someone has experienced damage or injury. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions grammatically as a passive construction in the present perfect tense, emphasizing that the harm occurred in the past with potential relevance to the present. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, science publications, and formal business settings. The phrase is considered grammatically correct and its meaning is generally clear, making it a reliable choice for conveying negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "has been injured" or "has been negatively affected", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been injured

Replaces 'harmed' with 'injured', focusing on physical damage or hurt.

has been damaged

Substitutes 'harmed' with 'damaged', emphasizing physical or functional impairment.

has suffered damage

Rephrases to highlight the act of enduring damage, shifting focus slightly.

has been negatively affected

Uses a broader term, 'negatively affected', to encompass various types of adverse impacts, not just physical harm.

has been adversely impacted

Similar to 'negatively affected', but uses 'adversely impacted' for a slightly more formal tone.

has sustained injuries

Focuses specifically on the occurrence of injuries, often in a more formal context.

has incurred damage

Replaces 'harmed' with 'incurred damage', suggesting a consequence or result of an action or event.

has been impaired

Focuses on the reduction or weakening of something's quality or function.

has been wounded

Uses 'wounded' to imply emotional or psychological harm, in addition to potential physical harm.

has been compromised

Suggests that something's integrity or security has been weakened.

FAQs

How to use "has been harmed" in a sentence?

You can use "has been harmed" to indicate that someone or something has experienced damage or injury. For instance, "The environment "has been harmed" by pollution", or "The company's reputation "has been harmed" by the scandal".

What can I say instead of "has been harmed"?

You can use alternatives like "has been damaged", "has been injured", or "has been negatively affected depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been harmed" or "has been harm"?

"Has been harmed" is correct. "Harmed" is the past participle of the verb 'harm', which is required in the present perfect passive construction. "Has been harm" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "has been harmed" and "was harmed"?

"Has been harmed" indicates a present perfect tense, implying the harm occurred at an unspecified time in the past and is relevant to the present. "Was harmed" is simple past tense, indicating the harm occurred at a specific time in the past and may not necessarily have a present relevance.