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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
make harm
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "make harm" is not correct or usable in written English.
The phrase "cause harm" is more appropriate in written English. For example: "The irresponsible behavior of the driver caused harm to innocent pedestrians and cyclists."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Successfully establishing a program in Orange County is something to celebrate, but it is only part of a much larger and longer effort to make harm reduction services available to anyone who needs them.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Yet every corporation is vulnerable — maybe a better word is accountable — when the choices it makes harm others, particularly when the harm occurs in pursuit of profit.
News & Media
Nussbaum adds that Dworkin has focused attention on the proper moral target by making harm associated with subordination, not obscenity, civilly actionable.
Wiki
As Power says, "You've got so many complicating factors in a prohibitive market that it makes harm reduction almost impossible.
News & Media
It is largely this fact that makes harm so difficult to understand (but see [ 16]), but an increasing number of studies document it.
Science
It will also provide important information as to whether making harm reduced products available along with harm reduction advice results in sufficient numbers take them up for it to affect quit rates.
Science
Regardless of making or not making harms to the patients, professional errors represent the system's vulnerability.
Science
As its operational guidelines make clear, harming any sentient creature is counter to the ELF's morality.
News & Media
"Of course they want to focus on this one tactical decision because the other decisions this President has made have harmed our national security".
News & Media
how can they follow orders that make them cause harm to humans, breaking Asimov's cardinal rule?
News & Media
The ideal of abstinence in drug and alcohol treatment and its decentering within the concept of harm reduction, make introducing harm-reduction strategies in the clinical encounter precarious.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "make harm" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "cause harm" or "do harm" to ensure clarity and credibility.
Common error
The verb "make" is often incorrectly paired with abstract nouns like "harm". Remember that "make" typically signifies creating something tangible. For abstract concepts, use verbs like "cause", "do", or "inflict" instead.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "make harm" functions incorrectly as a verb phrase intended to express the action of causing damage or injury. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is not grammatically correct, and standard English prefers alternatives like "cause harm".
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "make harm" is considered grammatically incorrect in English. Ludwig AI identifies that standard alternatives like "cause harm" or "do harm" are more appropriate. While examples of "make harm" exist, primarily in news, science, and wiki contexts, its usage is rare. Therefore, it's best to avoid "make harm" in formal writing to ensure clarity and credibility. Remember to use "cause", "do", or "inflict" when discussing harm.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
cause harm
Replaces "make" with "cause", resulting in a grammatically correct and standard expression.
inflict harm
Emphasizes the act of deliberately causing harm, suggesting intent.
do harm
A more general way of expressing the action of causing harm, similar to "cause harm".
create harm
Focuses on the act of bringing harm into existence, implying a generative process.
bring about harm
Highlights the causing of harm as a consequence or result of an action.
perpetrate harm
Suggests a formal or legal context, emphasizing the commission of a harmful act.
generate harm
Similar to "create harm", but with a sense of continuous or repeated harm.
lead to harm
Indicates that an action or situation results in harm as a consequence.
result in harm
Similar to "lead to harm", focusing on the outcome of harm.
produce harm
Suggests a process that yields harm as an output.
FAQs
What is a more appropriate substitute for "make harm"?
The phrase "cause harm" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted substitute for "make harm".
Is "make harm" grammatically correct in English?
No, "make harm" is not considered grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like "do harm" or "cause harm".
How can I use "cause harm" in a sentence?
You can use "cause harm" in a sentence like: "The company's actions could cause significant harm to the environment".
What's the difference between "make harm" and "cause harm"?
"Make harm" is not grammatically correct. Use "cause harm" instead, as it's the standard and accepted phrasing.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested