result in harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "result in harm" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the potential consequences of some action or decision, such as: "The decision to cut safety regulations could result in harm to workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some, but not all, medical mistakes can result in harm or injury to the patient".

The New York Times - Health

One hundred and seventeen events (81.8%) reached the patient, but most (92.7%, 108/117) did not result in harm.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience

In many states, Good Samaritans are protected from liability if their well-intentioned efforts inadvertently result in harm.

The New York Times

Stopping too soon can mean they fail to reach an optimal location, but continuing too far can exhaust resources and result in harm.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"If you are approaching children in social media environments designed for and by children, there are still privacy issues that can result in harm.

The Guardian

But other experts raise concerns about the safety of such devices, including that placing them in the wrong area could result in harm.

The Guardian - Tech

Yet as for working out the details of a legal distribution scheme that would effectively result in "harm reduction", why bother?

The Guardian

In a setting in which crucial tasks are performed continuously, distractions and barriers to communication can result in harm to both patients and OR personnel.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

The Bureau of Meteorology has a mandate to issue warnings for weather and climate events that are likely to result in harm and loss.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

It should also include the affective implications of the use of cyber weapons (Stevens, 2016a: 103–104) if they result in harm, perceived or actual, to human subjects.

Nature

The series highlights cases in which "the overuse of medical care may result in harm and in which less care is likely to result in better health".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, use "result in harm" to clearly articulate the possible negative outcomes of a decision or action. For example, "Insufficient training may "result in harm" to both the employee and the organization."

Common error

While "result in harm" is widely accepted, avoid overuse in overly formal or academic writing. Consider more precise synonyms such as "cause damage" or "lead to injury" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "result in harm" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express the potential or actual negative consequences of an action, decision, or situation. Examples from Ludwig show it used across varied contexts, such as medical, business, and social issues, illustrating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

49%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "result in harm" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the potential or actual negative consequences of an action or situation. According to Ludwig, it's widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While acceptable in most contexts, writers should consider more precise synonyms for formal writing. The phrase serves to warn, inform, or caution about potential dangers, prompting consideration of preventative measures. Be mindful of overuse and choose synonyms that better reflect the specific nature of the harm being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause damage

Focuses on the direct action of causing damage, implying a tangible negative effect.

lead to injury

Specifically refers to physical or psychological injury as the outcome.

generate negative consequences

Focuses on the creation of adverse outcomes in a broad sense.

produce adverse effects

Highlights the production of unwanted or harmful effects.

induce suffering

Highlights the experience of suffering as a consequence.

give rise to detriment

Highlights the act of producing harm or disadvantage.

create a hazard

Focuses on generating a dangerous situation.

precipitate adversity

Implies that something brings about a state of hardship or difficulty.

engender impairment

Emphasizes the causation of reduced function or ability.

inflict trauma

Specifically indicates the causation of deep emotional or psychological wounds.

FAQs

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

You can use "result in harm" to describe the potential negative outcome of an action or situation. For example: "Ignoring safety protocols can "result in harm" to workers."

What are some alternatives to "result in harm"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cause damage", "lead to injury", or "generate negative consequences" depending on the specific context.

Is "resulting in harm" grammatically the same as "result in harm"?

Yes, "resulting in harm" is a gerund phrase that can function as a noun, while "result in harm" is a verb phrase. Both are grammatically correct but used in different ways. For example: "The policy change is "resulting in harm" to the community." versus "The policy change will "result in harm" to the community."

What is the difference between "result in harm" and "lead to harm"?

Both "result in harm" and "lead to harm" indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, but "lead to harm" suggests a process or series of events that culminates in harm, whereas "result in harm" implies a more direct consequence.