perfectly harmless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly harmless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that poses no danger or threat at all. Example: "The new product is perfectly harmless and has been tested extensively for safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's perfectly harmless.

The New Yorker

Some things they don't see often can be perfectly harmless.

The New York Times

You see, I knew how perfectly harmless my broadcasts were.

The Guardian

But it was perfectly harmless to people, said America's military men.

The Economist

From old photographs, it appears perfectly harmless, with elements of the British architect Richard Norman Shaw.

The New York Times

In some cases, perfectly harmless bacteria in the body can turn bad when triggered.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's perfectly legal and harmless; the main source of the guilt is that it can become compulsive.

The New Yorker

Our brand of so-called "terrorism" is effective, and most importantly, perfectly legal and harmless.

Huffington Post

It may seem harmless, perfectly acceptable even, considering that the "R-word" is in the dictionary and even once was used to describe a medical condition.

Huffington Post

He termed the Clause “perfectly harmless,” for it merely confirmed Congress’ implied authority to enact laws in exercising its enumerated powers.

Cornell University

O'Reilly added: "It was perfectly in context and harmless".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where something appears dangerous but is confirmed safe, clarify the context to ensure there is no misunderstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly harmless" without proper context or evidence. Overstating safety can erode trust if the situation later proves to have unexpected risks. Instead, explain why something is "perfectly harmless".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly harmless" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun poses no threat or danger. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to reassure or clarify the safety of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly harmless" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that poses no danger or threat. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to reassure and dispel concerns, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. While it is often used for emphasis, one should provide evidence to back up its claims of harmlessness. Alternatives include "completely safe" and "entirely innocuous", each with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly safe

A direct synonym, emphasizing the absence of danger.

totally safe

Stresses complete safety without any exceptions.

completely safe

Emphasizes the absence of any danger or risk.

entirely safe

Highlights the absence of danger in every aspect.

entirely innocuous

Highlights the lack of offensiveness or harmfulness.

completely innocuous

Emphasizes the lack of any harmful or offensive qualities.

totally benign

Stresses the gentle and non-threatening nature.

absolutely innocuous

Highlights certainty about the lack of harmfulness.

absolutely safe

Emphasizes certainty regarding safety.

utterly safe

Highlights a comprehensive safety.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly harmless" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly harmless" to describe something that poses no threat or danger, such as: "The new cleaning product is "perfectly harmless" to the environment" or "The software update is "perfectly harmless" and won't affect your data".

What are some alternatives to saying "perfectly harmless"?

Alternatives include "completely safe", "entirely innocuous", or "totally benign". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "perfectly harmless"?

While "harmless" alone implies a lack of harm, "perfectly harmless" emphasizes the complete absence of any potential danger or negative effects. It is used for reassurance or to highlight the extent of safety.

When should I use "perfectly harmless" instead of just "harmless"?

Use "perfectly harmless" when you want to be absolutely clear that something poses no risk whatsoever. This is especially useful when addressing concerns or uncertainties about a potential hazard.