to avoid further harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid further harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the intention of preventing additional damage or negative consequences. Example: "The organization implemented new safety protocols to avoid further harm to the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He called it "imperative" that the army "exercise the utmost restraint and discipline to avoid further harm to civilians or worsening the humanitarian situation".

The New York Times

"Tuck them like a football under your arm" with wings folded to avoid further harm, explained Mr. Burghoff, who is licensed in California to care for wounded wildlife.

The New York Times

International train services were suspended, as were domestic flights, but most international flights were operating normally as Greek air traffic controllers stayed on the job to avoid further harm to the crucial tourism sector, already suffering from previous walkouts.

The New York Times

While few are willing to say it yet, the solution is clear: the only way to avoid further harm to the global economy is for Germany to lead its fellow stable states out of the euro and into a new and stronger currency bloc.

The New York Times

According to Indonesia's Minister of Women's Empowerment, Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar, the high demand for FGC makes it hard to control the practice and therefore medicalization is necessary in order "to avoid further harm".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Senior opposition figure Lim Kit Siang said Najib must immediately submit to justice to avoid further harming Malaysia's image.

The Guardian

In an attempt to combat this, Tchividjian recently co-authored The Child Safeguarding Policy Guide for Churches and Ministries, attempting to help church leaders address difficult questions about predators in their communities and how to avoid further harming someone who has already been traumatized.

Vice

I wear custom-made earplugs to avoid further damage.

Vice

A case could be made that early diagnosis of AKI may avoid further harm, that is, avoiding nephrotoxic drug administration or premature discharge from the emergency department or ICU.

Critical Care

As we fight for the lives and needs of marginalized communities, we must avoid further harming trans individuals and recognize intersectionality in our activism and feminism.

Huffington Post

In this context and for ethical reasons (avoiding further harm to severe burn victims) we analyzed the results of this open-label interventional study, performed some years ago at our institution, to contribute to this important discussion.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to avoid further harm", ensure that the context clearly identifies the initial harm and the potential consequences if actions are not taken to prevent it. Specificity strengthens the message and clarifies the need for preventative measures.

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid further harm" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "Mistakes were made to avoid further harm", try "We implemented new protocols to avoid further harm from errors". This makes the sentence more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid further harm" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically follows a statement of action, explaining the intention behind that action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound way to express the desire to prevent additional damage or negative consequences. Many examples are provided by Ludwig showing usage of the expression, some of which including context of war conflicts, medical situations, and activism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to avoid further harm" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for expressing the intention of preventing additional negative consequences. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts and serves to justify actions or explain decisions by highlighting the goal of minimizing damage. When writing, ensure the context is clear about the initial harm and consider using more direct language to enhance impact. While deemed correct, use with a high degree of consciousness and context understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent additional damage

Emphasizes preventing damage, using stronger wording.

to mitigate future risks

Focuses on risk reduction, changing the perspective to potential problems.

to preclude any additional injury

Uses more formal language, highlighting the avoidance of injuries.

to avert subsequent detriment

Employs very formal and less common terminology, focusing on preventing detriment.

in order to safeguard against further injury

Highlights a proactive approach to protecting against harm with more descriptive wording.

to forestall any further complications

Focuses on averting complications or problems, rather than general harm.

to minimize potential negative impacts

Shifts the emphasis to reducing negative impacts, using broader terms.

to ensure no further adverse effects

Focuses on guaranteeing the absence of adverse effects, using a more assertive tone.

to stop any more damage from occurring

Uses simpler and more direct language, emphasizing the cessation of damage.

to halt the propagation of harm

Focuses on stopping the spread of harm or damage, using a more sophisticated tone.

FAQs

How can I use "to avoid further harm" in a sentence?

You can use "to avoid further harm" to express the intention of preventing additional damage or negative consequences. For example: "The organization implemented new safety protocols "to avoid further harm" to the environment."

What are some alternatives to "to avoid further harm"?

Alternatives include "to prevent additional damage", "to mitigate future risks", or "to preclude any additional injury", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it always necessary to specify what kind of harm is being avoided when using "to avoid further harm"?

While not always necessary, specifying the type of harm being avoided can provide clarity and strengthen the impact of your statement. For instance, "to avoid further environmental harm" is more specific and informative than simply "to avoid further harm".

How does "to avoid further harm" differ from "to prevent harm"?

"To prevent harm" generally refers to stopping harm from occurring in the first place, whereas "to avoid further harm" implies that some harm has already occurred, and the goal is to prevent it from worsening or expanding. Thus, "to avoid further harm" is useful when addressing an ongoing situation.