more harmful than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more harmful than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the harmful effects of one thing to another, indicating that the first is worse. Example: "The new policy is more harmful than beneficial to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes the trauma is more harmful than the original mistake.

The Guardian

Young sees immigration detention as inherently more harmful than prison.

The Guardian

Is high-potency cannabis more harmful than weaker strains?

The Guardian

Experience with a hospital policy on not offering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when believed more harmful than beneficial.

Harvard University

And yet, nicotine is very similar to, and no more harmful than, caffeine.

Harvard University

"There are no two words in the English language" says Fletcher, "more harmful than 'good job'".

The Guardian - Film

"No one has proven that the bioidentical is any safer or any more harmful than Premarin".

The New York Times

It goes: "There are professions more harmful than industrial design, but only a few of them".

The Guardian - Arts

Exposure to UV-radiation is more harmful than frost-thaw cycling.

Construction and Building Materials

A violent picture ingrained in a child's mind could be more harmful than pornography.

The New York Times

I mean, that, to me, is more harmful than anything else".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two potential courses of action, use "more harmful than" to clearly state which has the greater negative impact. This helps to justify your reasoning and guide decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "more harmful than" when the difference in harm is negligible. Instead, use neutral language or specify the degree of harm more precisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more harmful than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing has a greater negative impact or poses a greater risk compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more harmful than" is a versatile and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to highlight the greater negative impact of one thing compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it maintains a neutral register, its effective use requires careful consideration to avoid overstating the degree of harm. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the comparative risk or negative consequences, and explore synonyms like "more detrimental than" or "more damaging than" to best convey the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more detrimental than

Emphasizes damage or injury, similar to "more harmful than" but with a slightly more formal tone.

more damaging than

Focuses on the act of causing damage, suggesting a physical or structural impact.

more injurious than

Highlights the aspect of causing injury or harm, often in a physical sense.

more adverse than

Indicates a negative or unfavorable outcome, broader in scope than direct harm.

more disadvantageous than

Highlights the comparative lack of advantage, focusing on negative consequences.

more counterproductive than

Focuses on actions that achieve the opposite of the intended result, implying inefficiency.

more destructive than

Implies a greater level of demolition or ruin, often used for abstract concepts.

more toxic than

Emphasizes the poisonous or dangerous quality, often used in scientific or environmental contexts.

more perilous than

Stresses the element of risk and danger, highlighting potential negative outcomes.

more precarious than

Highlights instability and uncertainty, suggesting a higher likelihood of negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "more harmful than" in a sentence?

Use "more harmful than" to compare the negative impacts of two things, indicating one is worse than the other. For example, "Ignoring the problem is "more harmful than" addressing it directly."

What are some alternatives to "more harmful than"?

Alternatives include "more damaging than", "more detrimental than", or "more injurious than" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "more harmful than" in writing?

Use it when you want to emphasize that one action, substance, or situation carries a greater risk or negative consequence compared to another. For example, "For Dave, reading articles was "more harmful than" helpful."

Is "more harmful than" a formal or informal phrase?

"More harmful than" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. While direct, it's commonly used in diverse contexts, from academic papers to news reports and casual discussions. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.