has harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has harmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has caused damage or injury at some point in the past and may still have relevance in the present. Example: "The pollution from the factory has harmed the local wildlife, leading to a decline in their population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the case of global warming, that insouciance has harmed America's reputation.Has it also harmed the country's interests, though?

The Economist

Negative diplomacy has harmed Russia elsewhere.

The New York Times

Each issue has harmed the "European Project".

Independent

"And that has harmed us".

The New York Times

The battle has harmed McConnell's reputation, however.

The New Yorker

Arguably, the womanising has harmed his career.

The Guardian

The change in diet has harmed the Nukaks' health.

The Guardian

"The party's recent stance has harmed them a great deal".

The Guardian

Nothing has harmed the legitimacy of capitalism more than the disparity between employees and chief executives.

The New York Times

Jerry has harmed children, of which I am one of them".

The New York Times - Sports

It is not my impression that this has harmed Ms Fiorina's chances among conservatives.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has harmed", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what or who has caused the harm and who or what has suffered the consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "has harmed" in situations where the impact is more about inconvenience or annoyance rather than genuine harm. Opt for milder alternatives like "affected" or "inconvenienced" to maintain appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has harmed" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of causing harm has occurred at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has harmed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the causation of damage or injury. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, with a neutral register. While alternatives like ""has damaged"" or ""has negatively impacted"" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, "has harmed" remains a versatile and effective choice for expressing negative consequences. Ensure the subject and object are clearly defined for clarity, and avoid overuse in contexts where the impact is minor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has damaged

Replaces "harmed" with "damaged", focusing on physical or functional impairment.

has injured

Replaces "harmed" with "injured", suggesting physical or emotional hurt.

has negatively impacted

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "harmed" with "negatively impacted" to denote an adverse effect.

has adversely affected

Similar to "negatively impacted" but emphasizes the detrimental nature of the effect.

has been detrimental to

Emphasizes the damaging consequences, often used in formal contexts.

has impaired

Suggests a weakening or diminishing effect, often used for skills or abilities.

has undermined

Implies a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or strength.

has compromised

Indicates a reduction in quality, value, or effectiveness.

has taken a toll on

Emphasizes the cumulative negative effects over time.

has proven destructive to

Emphasizes a higher degree of damage than "harmed" and implies ruined consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "has harmed" in a sentence?

Use "has harmed" to indicate that something has caused damage or injury. For example, "The oil spill "has harmed" the coastal ecosystem".

What are some alternatives to saying "has harmed"?

Alternatives include "has damaged", "has injured", or "has negatively impacted", depending on the context.

Is "has harmed" formal or informal?

"Has harmed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain situations.

What is the difference between "has harmed" and "has affected"?

"Has harmed" implies a more significant negative impact than "has affected". "Harmed" suggests damage or injury, while "affected" simply means influenced.