suffering harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffering harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the experience of injury, damage, or negative consequences, often in legal, medical, or emotional discussions. Example: "The plaintiff claimed that they were suffering harm due to the negligence of the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

These usually involve concerns that children have suffered some form of abuse or neglect, or are at risk of suffering harm – but sometimes people just want advice about what support is available for a family in need.

The Guardian

In addition, Nelson accepted affidavits from the players' side as proof that they were already suffering harm from the lockout.

The New York Times - Sports

Legal options were not considered because key services never believed that the children were suffering harm at the time.

The Guardian

Another comment related to President Obama fighting back tears while addressing the nation on Friday: In the face of Henan children suffering harm, did our country's leaders shed a tear!?

The New York Times

An A&E unit has been threatened with closure on safety grounds for the first time in the NHS's history, amid fears that its 500 patients a day are at what the medical regulator calls "serious risk" of suffering harm.

The Guardian

Welcoming the judgment, Giles Peaker, a partner at Anthony Gold Solicitors who acted for the charity Crisis in the case, said: "The purpose of the law was to ensure that people who are at more risk of suffering harm when homeless are given accommodation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I honestly believe that while politicians, education secretaries and lords dilly-dally over mandatory PSHE, worrying about upsetting those with delicate, hysterical sensibilities, young people are suffering, harming themselves and dying.

The Guardian

"While lower oil prices are keeping costs down for businesses and consumers, the North Sea oil companies are suffering, harming jobs and investment in the industry," said Katja Hall, CBI deputy director-general.

BBC

Respondents' alcohol consumption (AUDIT score) was strongly related to their risk of suffering harms from others' drinking (table 2).

BMJ Open

Deliberate or neglectful conduct leading to 'living' children suffering harms similar to the sequelae of FAS would lead to safeguarding procedures.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

32 While suffering harms from others' drinking varied with age, sex and educational status, respondents' own alcohol consumption patterns also affected risk (tables 2 and 3).

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, consider replacing "suffering harm" with a more specific phrase that accurately reflects the type of harm experienced. For example, use "experiencing emotional distress" or "sustaining physical injuries" to provide greater clarity and empathy.

Common error

While "suffering harm" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "experiencing injury", "sustaining damage", or "incurring losses" to maintain reader engagement and enhance the clarity of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffering harm" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe a state of being negatively affected, injured, or damaged. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffering harm" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the experience of injury, damage, or negative consequences. Ludwig AI validates its usability across diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in scientific and news-related sources, indicating a neutral formality level. To enhance writing, consider using more specific synonyms like "experiencing injury" or "sustaining damage" for greater precision. While "suffering harm" effectively conveys a state of being negatively impacted, awareness of its context and potential alternatives can strengthen communication. It is important to remember that the most suitable choice will ultimately depend on the specific tone and focus required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing injury

Focuses specifically on physical or psychological wounds or damage.

sustaining damage

Emphasizes the receipt or incurrence of damage, often in a more material or structural sense.

incurring losses

Highlights the financial or material setbacks as a consequence.

undergoing hardship

Suggests a period of difficulty and adversity.

enduring affliction

Implies a prolonged or severe state of suffering, often with a sense of inevitability.

facing adversity

Highlights the confrontation with challenging or unfavorable circumstances.

being victimized

Focuses on being the target of harmful actions or circumstances.

coming to grief

Suggests a disastrous or unfortunate outcome.

encountering misfortune

Highlights an experience of bad luck or unfavorable events.

bearing the brunt

Emphasizes the impact of something negative, suggesting the individual is taking the main force of it.

FAQs

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

You can use "suffering harm" to describe a state of being injured, damaged, or negatively affected. For instance: "The patients are at risk of "suffering harm" as a consequence of adverse events during their treatment."

What are some alternatives to "suffering harm"?

Alternatives include "experiencing injury", "sustaining damage", or "incurring losses", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "suffering harm" or "suffering damages"?

"Suffering harm" is a more general term, while "suffering damages" typically refers to financial or material losses. Choose the phrase that best reflects the type of harm being experienced.

What is the difference between "suffering harm" and "experiencing harm"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. However, ""suffering harm"" might imply a more prolonged or severe experience compared to "experiencing harm".