less harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or decisions that aim to minimize negative effects or consequences. Example: "We need to find a solution that causes less harm to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The hedonist usually does less harm than the fanatic.

The New York Times - Books

A beast so tamed would do far less harm.

The Economist

But if phased in, it would cause much less harm.

The New York Times

Some researchers suggest tweaking reward systems to cause less harm.

The New York Times - Health

Even with Chernobyl and Fukushima, nuclear has done far less harm than coal.

University of California, Berkeley

Still, in Mr. Chávez's view, tighter credit may do less harm than a falling peso.

The New York Times

"The argument was he would do a little less harm than the other candidate," Paul said.

The New Yorker

But it was hard to guess which man would do less harm.

The New York Times

More common will be scenarios where different actions inflict more or less harm on the groups.

The Guardian

A hundred educated tourists will do less harm than one uneducated one".

The Guardian - Travel

It encourages people to smoke less, so they do themselves and those around them less harm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two options, use "less harm" to emphasize that one causes fewer negative consequences than the other. For example, "Choosing renewable energy sources results in "less harm" to the environment compared to burning fossil fuels."

Common error

Avoid using "less harm" when referring to specific countable instances of harm. Instead, use "fewer instances of harm." For example, it's incorrect to say "This policy resulted in "less harm" cases"; the correct phrasing is "This policy resulted in fewer harm cases."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less harm" functions primarily as a comparative quantifier, indicating a smaller degree or amount of damage, injury, or negative impact. It is often used to compare the consequences of different actions or situations, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less harm" is a versatile and commonly used comparative quantifier that indicates a reduced degree of negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its prevalence in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, academic research, and scientific discussions. When writing, use "less harm" to effectively compare options and advocate for choices that minimize negative consequences. Be mindful to use "fewer" rather than "less" when referring to specific countable instances of harm. By understanding its function and context, you can confidently incorporate "less harm" into your writing to convey nuanced comparisons of negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced damage

Focuses on the diminished extent of physical damage.

minimized impact

Emphasizes the lessened effect or influence of something.

decreased risk

Highlights the lowered probability of adverse outcomes.

mitigated consequences

Suggests that the results of an action are made less severe.

alleviated suffering

Specifically refers to the reduction of pain or distress.

lessened detriment

Indicates a reduced degree of disadvantage or loss.

curtailed injury

Focuses on limiting physical harm or wounding.

softened blow

Implies making a negative impact more manageable or gentle.

tempered severity

Suggests that the intensity or harshness of something has been moderated.

reduced adversity

Highlights the decline of hardship or misfortune.

FAQs

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

Use "less harm" to compare situations or actions, indicating one has a reduced negative impact. For example, "Switching to electric vehicles causes "less harm" to the atmosphere than driving gasoline-powered cars."

What are some alternatives to saying "less harm"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced damage", "minimized impact", or "decreased risk" depending on the specific context. For instance, "reduced damage" may be suitable when talking about physical consequences.

Which is correct, "less harm" or "fewer harm"?

"Less harm" is generally correct because "harm" is typically considered an uncountable noun. If you're referring to specific instances of harm, "fewer instances of harm" would be more appropriate.

Is there a difference between "less harm" and "minimal harm"?

"Less harm" indicates a comparative reduction in negative impact. "Minimal harm" implies the smallest possible amount of harm, suggesting that the harm has been reduced to its lowest feasible level. Consider "minimal harm" as implying a more absolute state of reduction.