held harmless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held harmless" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that one party will not hold another party responsible for any loss or damage. Example: "The contractor agrees to hold the client harmless from any claims arising from the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

No program will be held harmless".

The New York Times

"There has got to be something that is held harmless.

The New York Times

But no industry should be held harmless from its impacts on the environment and the nation's infrastructure.

The New York Times

Better to endorse a wage freeze, they say, than to argue that teachers should be held harmless against the economic storm.

The New York Times

"Up to now, all the proposals for change held harmless the amounts that school districts were already getting," said Saul Cohen, a Regent from Westchester.

The New York Times

Next, he said, any permission granted to the owners of the adjacent building should be put in writing and include an indemnification agreement providing that the co-op will be held harmless for any liability that could arise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Anything that's in the ground we're holding harmless," Ms. Levin said.

The New York Times

The advisory group recommended that electronic health record suppliers drop "hold harmless" clauses from their sales contracts.

The New York Times - Tech

Congress shouldn't make it harder on itself by promising to hold harmless every company that has manipulated the status quo to its advantage.

The New York Times

It would hold harmless most homeowners in terms of their tax liability, while improving fairness and raising net revenue that could finance tax rate reductions.

The New York Times

"I'm very encouraged that he would hold harmless the older workers," said Mr. Harkin, an advocate of employee pension rights for years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held harmless" clauses in situations where one party is undertaking an activity that could potentially result in harm or loss to another party but where the first party should not be liable.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad "held harmless" clauses that attempt to shield a party from liability for their own negligence or willful misconduct, as these may not be enforceable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held harmless" primarily functions as a passive construction often used in legal and contractual language. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts where one party is to be protected from liability or responsibility, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held harmless" is a common legal term signifying protection from liability or responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and frequently used in legal, business, and news contexts. It functions to allocate risk, ensuring one party isn't liable for another's actions. While "held harmless" enjoys widespread use, understanding its scope and avoiding overly broad indemnification clauses is critical. Alternatives like "indemnified" and "protected from liability" offer similar meanings. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its importance in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indemnified

This term legally protects one party from the consequences of another's actions, often involving financial compensation.

protected from liability

This phrase explicitly states that someone is shielded from legal responsibility.

absolved of responsibility

This indicates a release from any duty or obligation.

exempt from accountability

This suggests freedom from being required to justify actions or decisions.

not liable

A straightforward declaration of no legal responsibility.

immune from prosecution

Specifically refers to being shielded from legal charges or trials.

safeguarded against claims

Focuses on preventing potential legal demands or lawsuits.

assured protection

Implies a guarantee of being shielded from harm or legal action.

guaranteed non-responsibility

Emphasizes that one party will not be deemed responsible.

shielded from repercussions

Suggests being protected from the negative consequences of an action or event.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "held harmless" in a legal agreement?

To be "held harmless" means that one party agrees not to hold another party responsible for any damages, losses, or liabilities that may arise from a specific situation or activity. It's a form of protection against legal claims.

What are some alternatives to saying "held harmless"?

You can use alternatives like "indemnified", "protected from liability", or "absolved of responsibility" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use a "hold harmless" clause?

A "hold harmless" clause is appropriate in situations where one party is undertaking an activity that could potentially result in harm or loss to another party, but where the first party should not be liable. Common examples include construction contracts, rental agreements, and event waivers.

What is the difference between "held harmless" and "indemnified"?

While both terms relate to protection from liability, "held harmless" generally means one party will not be held responsible for damages or losses. "Indemnified" typically means one party will compensate the other for any losses or damages incurred. So, "indemnified" implies a proactive compensation, whereas "held harmless" is a promise not to hold responsible.