potential for harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "potential for harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing risks, dangers, or negative consequences associated with a particular action, situation, or substance. Example: "Before proceeding with the experiment, we must assess the potential for harm to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is potential for harm, too.

The New York Times

The potential for harm is boundless.

The New York Times

But Cosmo's potential for harm goes beyond the dodgy sex tips and headlines.

The Guardian - Opinion

Safety First As innocuous as applying external magnets might seem, there is some potential for harm.

The New York Times - Health

Am I a hypocrite to allow him to serve while conceding the potential for harm?

The New York Times

Although both are undesirable, society recognizes the need to ban that with great potential for harm.

The New York Times - Science

And the potential for harm may be greater for young athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

The potential for harm to occur in that room was tremendous".

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Sullivan acknowledged that the potential for harm was great.

The New York Times

Experts at the WHO worry about the potential for harm with statins.

The Economist

All that's being said is that the potential for harm increases greatly when mommy brings home a new "uncle".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or experimental procedures, always explicitly state the "potential for harm" to participants, the environment, or other relevant entities. This demonstrates ethical consideration and transparency.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating or minimizing the "potential for harm" without sufficient evidence. A balanced and objective assessment is crucial for maintaining credibility and ensuring appropriate precautions are taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential for harm" functions as a noun phrase that describes the possibility or likelihood of negative consequences or damage resulting from a particular situation, action, or substance. As seen in Ludwig, it's used to assess and communicate the risk associated with something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "potential for harm" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the possibility of negative consequences or damage. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used in various contexts, from scientific research to news reports, to assess risks and communicate potential dangers. While alternatives like "risk of damage" or "likelihood of injury" exist, "potential for harm" provides a broad and versatile way to address the possibility of negative outcomes. Remember to assess potential harms objectively and be transparent about them to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazard potential

Highlights the inherent capacity of something to cause harm.

risk of damage

Focuses more directly on the possibility of physical damage occurring.

likelihood of injury

Highlights the probability of physical harm or injury.

risk of adverse effects

Focuses on the possibility of negative consequences or side effects.

possibility of danger

Emphasizes the chance of encountering a dangerous situation.

threat of hazard

Indicates an impending hazard that could cause harm.

likelihood of negative impact

Focuses on the probability of a negative effect or outcome.

prospect of adversity

Suggests a future possibility of facing hardship or difficulty.

possibility of complications

Emphasizes the chance of problems or difficulties arising.

danger lurking

Conveys a sense of hidden or imminent danger.

FAQs

How can I use "potential for harm" in a sentence?

You can use "potential for harm" to describe the possibility of negative consequences arising from a particular action or situation. For example: "The study assessed the "potential for harm" associated with the new drug."

What are some alternatives to "potential for harm"?

Alternatives include "risk of damage", "likelihood of injury", and "possibility of danger". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "potential of harm" instead of "potential for harm"?

While "potential of harm" might be understood, "potential for harm" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing. The preposition "for" correctly indicates the relationship between the potential and the harm.

In what contexts is "potential for harm" most frequently used?

"Potential for harm" is frequently used in discussions related to safety, risk assessment, medical procedures, and environmental impact. It's common in contexts where evaluating and mitigating potential negative outcomes is crucial.