inadvertent harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inadvertent harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unintentional damage or injury caused by an action or decision. Example: "The company's new policy led to inadvertent harm to some of its employees, who felt overlooked in the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

" 'I was only testing security' is not a valid defense," since it still involves illegal computer trespassing and can cause inadvertent harm.

The New York Times

"It's really a story about inadvertent harm done," Mr. Martin said, "although I believe each of them is ultimately enriched by what happens".

The New York Times - Books

Even a good shaman may do inadvertent harm, and a wicked shaman, who is in contact with the spirits of the Lower World, is very alarming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Funders must be aware of 'the big picture': As a grant maker, the key is to make sure your successes can be picked up and replicated or scaled up by bigger funders, while also following a 'do no inadvertent harm' principle.

The Guardian

Physicians and healthcare administrators are a diverse group with different levels of interest in technology, but all need to have a basic understanding of the digital economy to avoid causing inadvertent harm to patients.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

If Velaszquez-Manoff's argument is valid, are Dr. Hotez and colleagues doing inadvertent harm along with obvious good?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Or, to continue the military metaphor -- we have at times failed to recognize the enemy disguised as a friend, and at times have perpetrated the inadvertent harms of "friendly fire".

Huffington Post

The complications associated with health care in low and middle income countries mean that voluntourists and medical tourists must prepare for their travel in order to avoid inadvertent harms to others.

Globalization and Health

Rather it entails checking inappropriate resentment, anger, and revenge, being aware when what appears to be a moral harm is in fact an inadvertent injury whose putative moral injustice is inflated by our own partiality, and treating others who harm us with the same compassion that we hold all humans due good-will should be treated.

SEP

Communication failures are the leading causes of inadvertent patient harm.

BMC Health Services Research

Still, inadvertent damage ensued from the misunderstandings.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical or ethical issues, use "inadvertent harm" to clearly convey that the harm was not intentional, thus avoiding accusations of malice or negligence.

Common error

Avoid using "inadvertent harm" when "negligent harm" is more appropriate. "Inadvertent" means unintentional, while "negligent" implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, which is a more serious accusation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadvertent harm" functions as a noun phrase. It describes an action that results in unintended damage or injury. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The term is often used to soften the impact of negative consequences by emphasizing their unintentional nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inadvertent harm" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes unintentional damage or injury. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples spanning diverse fields like news, science, and encyclopedias. While "inadvertent harm" is distinct from "negligent harm", as the former emphasizes the lack of intent, understanding this difference is crucial for precise communication. By considering the writing guidance and exploring related phrases, writers can effectively convey the nuanced meaning of unintentional harm in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentional damage

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the damage.

accidental injury

Highlights the accidental nature of the injury.

unintended consequences

Emphasizes the unplanned results of an action.

unforeseen detriment

Stresses the unexpected and negative impact.

unwitting infliction

Highlights the lack of awareness in causing the harm.

casualty of circumstance

Presents the harm as a result of situational factors.

collateral damage

Focuses on the incidental nature of the harm.

negligent damage

Suggests a lack of proper care leading to harm.

accidental repercussions

Highlights the accidental side effects or consequences.

uncalculated risk

Emphasizes the failure to properly assess the potential for harm.

FAQs

What is an example of "inadvertent harm" in a sentence?

A company's new policy led to "inadvertent harm" to some of its employees, who felt overlooked in the decision-making process.

What can I say instead of "inadvertent harm"?

You can use alternatives like "unintentional damage", "accidental injury", or "unintended consequences" depending on the context.

Is "inadvertent harm" the same as "negligence"?

No, "inadvertent harm" refers to unintentional damage or injury. Negligence implies a failure to exercise a standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised under similar circumstances, and can lead to more severe consequences than simple "inadvertent harm".

How does "inadvertent harm" differ from "deliberate harm"?

"Inadvertent harm" is unintentional and accidental, whereas deliberate harm is intentional and planned. Mr. Rabe sees his adaptation as a parable about "the inadvertent calamities -- as opposed to deliberate evil or deliberate harm -- that people bring on one another".