that will harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that will harm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions, behaviors, or decisions that have the potential to cause damage or negative effects. Example: "We must avoid any practices that will harm the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That could risk anaerobic conditions that will harm plants.

The New York Times

It is the bonuses, not the tax on the bonuses, that will harm the financial sector.

The New York Times

Too often, our concern for specific individuals today means neglecting crises that will harm countless people in the future.

The New Yorker

"They will not extract political concessions from us that will harm the rights of the Palestinian people.

The New York Times

Congress should jettison the sharp, front-loaded and arbitrary sequester cuts that will harm the recovery and work on such a plan.

The New York Times

What it will do "is create a more general boycott on Israel that will harm relations between Israel and the Palestinians".

Independent

But critics call GNEP a costly gamble on unproven science that will harm the cause of nuclear energy and do little to combat proliferation.

The Economist

"This is a bad idea that will harm our schools, and we want to drive that home as the Legislature heads back into session".

The New York Times

We know that unhindered by EU rules, the government would choose lower standards of environmental protection that will harm our health.

The Guardian - Opinion

John McCain will be replaced at Commerce by Fritz Hollings; that will harm campaign finance reform and free trade, though it may help privacy and economic nationalism.

The New York Times

We'll be working with our allies to reduce greenhouse gases, but I will not accept a plan that will harm our economy and hurt American workers".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying what is being harmed (e.g., "policies that will harm the economy" instead of just "policies that will harm").

Common error

Avoid using "that will harm" as a catch-all phrase. Be specific about the kind of damage or negative impact being discussed to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that will harm" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a potential for negative impact or damage. Ludwig AI analysis of many examples confirms this use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that will harm" is a common and grammatically sound relative clause used to describe actions, policies, or situations with potentially negative consequences. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's prevalent across diverse contexts, particularly in news media and online encyclopedias. While versatile, consider using more specific synonyms like "damage", "jeopardize", or "undermine" for greater clarity. By understanding its function and potential substitutes, you can effectively use "that will harm" to communicate caution and express concern about adverse outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that will damage

Replaces "harm" with a synonym indicating physical or structural damage.

that will hurt

Substitutes "harm" with a more general term for causing pain or distress.

that will injure

Replaces "harm" with a synonym implying physical injury or wound.

that will impair

Changes "harm" to suggest a reduction in function or ability.

that will jeopardize

Modifies "harm" to indicate putting something at risk.

that will undermine

Replaces "harm" to suggest a weakening or erosion of something.

that will compromise

Changes "harm" to imply a reduction in quality or effectiveness.

that will sabotage

Substitutes "harm" with a term indicating deliberate damage or obstruction.

that will devastate

Replaces "harm" with a more severe term suggesting widespread destruction.

that will adversely affect

Replaces "harm" with a formal phrase indicating negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "that will harm" in a sentence?

You can use "that will harm" to describe potential negative consequences, such as "Actions "that will harm the environment" should be avoided."

What are some alternatives to "that will harm"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that will damage", "that will hurt", or "that will jeopardize" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "that will harm" or a more specific verb?

Using a more specific verb, like "endanger" or "undermine", can provide a clearer and more impactful description than the general term "that will harm".

What's the difference between "that will harm" and "that could harm"?

"That will harm" implies a higher degree of certainty about the negative outcome, while "that could harm" suggests a possibility but not a certainty.