have harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have 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, with relevance to the present. Example: "The actions of the company have harmed the environment significantly over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We may have harmed you.

The New York Times

He could have harmed them".

The New York Times

It is our reputations they have harmed.

The Guardian - Sport

Can we stop punishing people we have harmed for reminding us we have harmed them?

The Guardian - Opinion

Hauling it around might have harmed Stenson's score.

The New York Times - Sports

Already, disunity may have harmed the prospects for democratic change.

The Economist

Both U.S. & the Soviet Union appear to have harmed themselves with their interventions more than they have harmed each other.

The New Yorker

I loved my parents and would never have harmed them".

The New York Times

This current episode will have harmed his chances.

The Guardian

To keep ignoring the issue would have harmed the monarchy.

The New York Times

Mr. Snowden has said he does not believe his leaks have harmed American interests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have harmed" to indicate that an action or situation has caused damage or negative consequences that are relevant to the present. Ensure the context clearly identifies who or what was harmed and the nature of the harm.

Common error

While "have harmed" is generally acceptable, consider more precise or formal alternatives like "have damaged", "have impaired", or "have undermined" in professional or academic writing to convey a nuanced understanding of the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have harmed" functions as a present perfect verb phrase. It indicates that an action of harming occurred at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with examples showing the phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have harmed" is a grammatically sound and common verb phrase used to express that a past action has caused damage or negative consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider more precise alternatives for formal or scientific writing. Remember to use "has harmed" for singular subjects and "have harmed" for plural subjects. By understanding its proper usage and considering context-appropriate alternatives, you can effectively communicate the impact of past actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have damaged

Replaces "harmed" with a more general term for causing damage.

have injured

Focuses on physical or emotional hurt, rather than general damage.

have hurt

A more informal and general term for causing pain or damage.

have negatively impacted

Emphasizes the adverse effect caused by something.

have adversely affected

Similar to 'negatively impacted' but slightly more formal.

have been detrimental to

Highlights the damaging and long-lasting effects.

have compromised

Indicates a weakening or undermining of something.

have impaired

Focuses on the reduction or weakening of function or ability.

have undermined

Suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something.

have sabotaged

Implies intentional damage or disruption.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have harmed" is used to indicate that someone or something has caused damage or injury. For example, "The company's actions "have harmed" the environment."

What are some alternatives to "have harmed"?

You can use alternatives like "have damaged", "have injured", or "have hurt" depending on the specific context and the nature of the harm caused.

Is it correct to say "has harmed" instead of "have harmed"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has harmed" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has harmed") and "have harmed" with plural subjects (e.g., "They "have harmed"").

What is the difference between "have harmed" and "have hurt"?

While both phrases indicate causing pain or damage, "have harmed" often suggests a more significant or lasting negative impact. "Have hurt" can be used for minor or temporary discomfort. The phrase "have damaged" indicates deterioration or breakage.