this would harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this would harm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential negative consequences or impacts of an action or decision. Example: "If we proceed with this plan, this would harm our reputation in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This would harm economic growth.

The Economist

That this would harm their lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Kremlin was careful not to act in a way that would disrupt business interests, since this would harm the interests of the Russian elite as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the fund were to seek more enticing assets elsewhere, the government would have to offer better terms on its bonds, raising its cost of borrowing.Some officials fear this would harm the national economy.

The Economist

Mr. Lesar said Mr. Cheney told executives soon after he arrived that he wanted to get out of Libya but was dissuaded by the argument that this would harm the company's long-term relationship with its customers.

The New York Times

"Ironically, this would harm our national security more than it would protect it by shielding from the public broad categories of information vital to the public's discussion and evaluation of the government," Mr. Schumer wrote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I think that would harm him".

The New York Times

Again, respondents chose this option in spite of a warning that this cut would harm military capabilities.

The New York Times

The Palestinians say this demand would harm the rights of Palestinian refugees and Israel's Arab minority.

The Guardian

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned Monday that Republican-proposed cuts in foreign aid to be considered by the House this week would harm the nation's security interests and standing across the globe.

The New York Times

This plan would harm more than 50 million of the poorest people in our society, including older adults, children, families and people with disabilities, curtailing critical services even as the need for them increases.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context to choose a synonym if "harm" seems too strong or mild. Options like "damage", "impair", or "affect" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "this would harm" without quantifying the extent of the harm. Specify whether it's a minor inconvenience or a significant detriment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this would harm" functions as a predictive statement, outlining the potential negative consequences of a particular action or decision. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and usable. It sets up a cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting that 'this' action will lead to 'harm'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this would harm" is a common and grammatically correct way to express concerns about the potential negative consequences of a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While there are numerous alternatives to the phrase, such as "this could damage" or "this may negatively affect", the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. When using "this would harm", it's crucial to clearly define what "this" refers to and, if possible, quantify the extent of the potential harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this could be detrimental

Emphasizes the potential for harm or damage.

this might negatively affect

Focuses on the adverse effects or consequences.

this may prove damaging

Highlights the potential for long-term harm.

this could impair

Suggests a weakening or diminishing effect.

this might undermine

Implies a weakening of support or foundation.

this could jeopardize

Highlights the risk of endangering something.

this may hinder

Focuses on the act of impeding or obstructing.

this could adversely impact

Emphasizes the unfavorable nature of the effect.

this might be prejudicial

Highlights the potential for bias or unfairness.

this could prove injurious

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging nature of the effect, often in a more formal or legal context.

FAQs

How can I use "this would harm" in a sentence?

Use "this would harm" to indicate a potential negative consequence of a specific action or decision. For example, "Implementing this policy would harm small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "this would harm"?

You can use alternatives like "this could damage", "this may negatively affect", or "this could undermine" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this will harm" instead of "this would harm"?

Both "this will harm" and "this would harm" are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "This will harm" indicates a future certainty, while "this would harm" suggests a hypothetical or conditional outcome.

What's the difference between "this would harm" and "this is harmful"?

"This would harm" describes a potential future action and its possible negative consequences, whereas "this is harmful" describes something that is currently causing damage or has a negative impact.