is harmful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is harmful to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to discuss potential dangers, risks, or disadvantages associated with something. For example: "Excessive exposure to UV radiation is harmful to human skin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This fishing method is harmful to dolphins".

The New York Times

Thawing and refreezing is harmful to quality.

Britannica

This lack of frequent contact is harmful to families.

The Guardian

Maybe the Premier League is harmful to everyone.

The Guardian - Sport

Who is to say what is harmful to minors?

The New York Times

But in-school marketing itself is harmful to students.

The New York Times

This water pollution is harmful to biodiversity in numerous ways.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, chronic increase in cortisol levels is harmful to fish31.

Nature

Weight stigma is harmful to physical and mental health.

The Washington Post

Yet somehow what we do is harmful to borrowers.

The Washington Post

Corruption, it is noted, is harmful to economic growth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is harmful to", be specific about what is being harmed. Clearly state the subject and the potential negative consequences to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "is harmful to" without providing sufficient context. Instead of saying "Technology is harmful", specify "Excessive screen time is harmful to children's eyesight" for a more precise and meaningful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is harmful to" functions as a predicative adjective describing the negative effect or potential damage something has on a subject. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in expressing potential dangers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

30%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is harmful to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has a detrimental effect on something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about what is being harmed to ensure clarity. While alternatives like "is detrimental to" or "poses a risk to" exist, "is harmful to" remains a versatile and direct choice for conveying negative impacts across diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is detrimental to

Emphasizes damage or negative impact on something.

is damaging to

Highlights the causing of damage or injury.

poses a risk to

Focuses on the potential danger or hazard.

is hazardous to

Implies a higher level of danger or risk.

is injurious to

Indicates physical harm or damage.

is adverse to

Suggests an unfavorable or negative effect.

is counterproductive to

Highlights actions that prevent intended progress.

has a negative impact on

Focuses on a broad range of negative effects.

is prejudicial to

Indicates unfair or biased harm.

is toxic to

Specifically refers to poisonous or chemically harmful effects.

FAQs

How can I use "is harmful to" in a sentence?

Use "is harmful to" to indicate a negative impact or potential danger. For example, "Smoking "is harmful to" your health" or "Pollution "is harmful to" the environment."

What are some alternatives to saying "is harmful to"?

You can use phrases like "is detrimental to", "is damaging to", or "poses a risk to" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "is harmful for" or "is harmful to"?

"Is harmful to" is the correct and more widely accepted phrase. "Is harmful for" is less common and can sound awkward in many contexts.

What's the difference between "is harmful to" and "affects"?

"Is harmful to" implies a negative consequence, while "affects" simply indicates an influence, which can be positive or negative. For example, "Pollution "is harmful to" the environment" suggests damage, while "Pollution affects the environment" simply means it has an impact, without specifying if it's good or bad.