substantial harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial harm" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been adversely affected, usually in a serious or significant way. For example, "The fire caused substantial harm to the nearby houses".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any other interpretation risks substantial harm of the sort that my sleeping pill example illustrates.

The New York Times

But Environmental Advocates argued that it would have caused substantial harm.

The New York Times

It is improbable that granting the injunction will cause substantial harm to defendant.

Harvard University

If the fit is inappropriate, the extension can do substantial harm.

Harvard Business Review

But for the most part they were protected from substantial harm.

The New York Times

Moreover, any foreign claimant would have to show that he had suffered "substantial harm" in England.

The Economist

Presumably we meant that a ban on same-sex marriage caused substantial harm to those couples.

The New York Times

Increasing data suggest that errors in medicine occur frequently and result in substantial harm to the patient.

Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease

Even wealthy societies are going to face substantial harm from rising temperatures, probably a lot more than we're expecting.

Stanford University

Were this debate to be conducted within the army, it might result in serious and substantial harm".

The New York Times

Any one of these issues, mishandled, could cause substantial harm to the world's cause in the gulf.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial harm" in legal or formal writing, ensure you define the criteria that constitute "substantial" within the specific context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "substantial harm" is a valid phrase, avoid using it in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "significant damage" or "serious trouble" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial harm" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a significant degree of damage, injury, or negative impact, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial harm" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a significant level of damage or negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various authoritative sources, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, especially in formal settings, it's essential to define what constitutes "substantial" within the specific context to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. While versatile, it's best to avoid using "substantial harm" in very informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. Be careful to not overuse "substantial harm" in place of more appropriate synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant damage

Focuses on the extent of physical or functional damage caused.

considerable damage

Emphasizes the notable degree of impairment or loss.

serious injury

Highlights physical or psychological wounds that are severe.

severe detriment

Indicates a significant negative impact or disadvantage.

major adverse effect

Focuses on the harmful or unfavorable outcome of an action or situation.

profound impact

Stresses the deep and far-reaching consequences of an event or action.

significant repercussions

Highlights the serious and often indirect consequences of an action.

grave consequences

Emphasizes the serious and potentially dangerous outcomes.

irreparable damage

Indicates damage that cannot be repaired or restored.

material harm

Focuses on harm that is significant and relevant.

FAQs

How to use "substantial harm" in a sentence?

"Substantial harm" is used to describe a significant negative impact. For example, "The oil spill caused "significant damage" to the marine ecosystem".

What can I say instead of "substantial harm"?

You can use alternatives like "serious injury", "severe detriment", or "major adverse effect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "substantial harm" or "serious harm"?

Both "substantial harm" and "serious harm" are correct, but "substantial harm" often implies a greater degree of impact than "serious harm".

What's the difference between "substantial harm" and "irreparable damage"?

"Substantial harm" indicates significant damage or injury, while "irreparable damage" suggests the damage is so severe that it cannot be repaired or restored.