inflict harm

USAGE SUMMARY

'inflict harm' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to the act of causing physical or emotional harm to someone or something. For example, "The mean children inflicted harm on the helpless puppy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With this treaty, Pogge argues, developed countries have made themselves guilty of imposing a harmful regime on others, thus violating the negative duty not to inflict harm.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

"Art can inflict harm".

The New York Times - Arts

The stress may even inflict harm on your personal relationships.

Stanford University

Outside the cage, Rousey is genial but unapologetic about her capacity to inflict harm.

The New Yorker

Human beings, they believed, should not inflict harm on any sentient creature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of their spells are intended to inflict harm, or death.

The New York Times

"High gas prices inflict harm on people and our economy, but so does pollution," he said.

The New York Times

Yes, we do inflict harm on ourselves and others, but this is not inevitable.

The Guardian

"His job is to protect and serve, not to inflict harm and hurt," he said.

The Guardian

The unpredictability of guns had previously made them more suitable to terrorize than inflict harm.

The New York Times

But their ability to inflict harm is mitigated by their lack of credibility.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inflict harm", consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym if you want to express a particular nuance of the harm caused, such as physical injury or emotional distress.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when a more direct and active construction would be clearer. For example, instead of "Harm was inflicted", use "Someone inflicted harm."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflict harm" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action—the act of causing damage or injury to someone or something. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from physical violence to economic impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inflict harm" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of causing damage or injury, whether physical or emotional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its presence in various authoritative sources, especially in News & Media and Science, underscores its relevance across different domains. While alternatives like "cause injury" or "do damage" exist, "inflict harm" often implies a more deliberate or direct action. When writing, consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for the specific nuance you intend to convey, and avoid overusing the passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do harm

A more general term for causing any kind of damage or injury.

cause injury

Focuses on the physical damage caused.

do damage

Emphasizes the resulting damage or negative impact.

cause suffering

Highlights the experience of pain and distress.

perpetrate violence

Implies a more forceful and deliberate act of aggression.

commit aggression

Highlights the act as an aggressive and intentional action.

visit injury

This emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of the harm caused.

impose damage

Emphasizes the action of placing or forcing damage onto someone or something.

deal a blow

Focuses on a singular impactful event causing harm.

exact a toll

Focuses on the cumulative negative effects of an action or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "inflict harm" in a sentence?

You can use "inflict harm" to describe actions that cause damage or injury. For instance, "The bully sought to "inflict harm" on his classmates." or "High gas prices "inflict harm" on people and our economy".

What are some alternatives to "inflict harm"?

Some alternatives to "inflict harm" include "cause injury", "do damage", or "cause suffering", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "inflict damage" instead of "inflict harm"?

While "inflict damage" is understandable, "inflict harm" is generally preferred when referring to physical or emotional injury. "Inflict damage" is more commonly used for material objects or abstract concepts, it's still a viable alternative though.

What's the difference between "inflict harm" and "cause harm"?

"Inflict harm" often implies a more deliberate or forceful action than "cause harm". While both describe the act of causing damage or injury, "inflict" suggests a more intentional or direct application of harm. In general both "inflict harm" and "cause harm" are interchangeable.