unintended harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"unintended harm" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when something negative occurs that was not deliberate. For example: "The new policy caused some unintended harm to local businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Even this well-intended litigation has the capacity to bring about unintended harm.

The New York Times

She thinks that a widespread emphasis on patients' rights may have done unintended harm.

The Economist

But information is not knowledge, and efforts to bring transparency to health care have previously failed, or caused unintended harm.

The New Yorker

Affordable-housing groups have written to the New York City Council about the unintended harm from the proposed lead paint bill.

The New York Times

And if the end is just, then all countries have an obligation to use the means that causes the least unintended harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such is the difference, perhaps, between intended and unintended harm, between the core carefully assembled for the purpose of mass destruction and the core reserved for the realm of experiment.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

And yet, in today's political climate, addressing these unintended harms is not possible, with fault to be assigned at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The New York Times

It should be possible for the larger (and incredibly heated) debate over the merits of Obamacare to proceed even while specific flaws in the legislation are addressed to avoid unintended harms to thousands of Congressional employees or millions of vulnerable families.

The New York Times

Challenges during diagnosis and treatment persist, with guidelines and waiting time targets producing the perception of unintended harms at individual and organisational levels.

BMJ Open

Ethics procedures include measures for addressing any unintended harms for intervention participants post-trial by coordination of access to support services and follow-up by professional care workers.

BMJ Open

This reduction is assumed to be largely attributable to screening, 3 5 but screening also leads to unintended harms such as false-positive results, overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unintended harm" to describe situations where actions taken with good intentions lead to negative outcomes, emphasizing the lack of malicious intent.

Common error

Avoid using "unintended harm" when the harm resulted from a failure to exercise reasonable care. Negligence implies a lack of due diligence, whereas "unintended harm" suggests unforeseen consequences despite careful planning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unintended harm" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a situation where negative consequences arise that were not originally planned or desired. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from policy impacts to medical procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unintended harm" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes negative consequences that were not planned or desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news, media and scientific discussions, often serving to highlight unforeseen negative outcomes and encourage proactive solutions. While similar phrases like "inadvertent damage" or "unforeseen consequences" can be used as alternatives, it's essential to avoid using "unintended harm" when negligence is involved. Understanding the nuances of this phrase will improve precision and clarity in your written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadvertent damage

This alternative emphasizes the accidental nature of the damage.

unexpected detriment

This phrase focuses on the surprising and negative impact of an action.

unforeseen consequences

This emphasizes the results that could not be predicted.

collateral damage

Highlights harm that occurs alongside a primary effect, often in military or strategic contexts.

negative repercussions

This term focuses on the negative aftereffects of a decision or action.

adverse side effects

Used particularly in medical or technical contexts to describe unwanted outcomes.

unintentional injury

Focuses on the accidental aspect of physical or emotional harm.

undesired outcomes

Highlights that the results are not what was originally wanted or expected.

secondary damage

This term suggests harm that is not the direct result of an action, but a consequence of it.

ancillary risk

Emphasizes the additional danger that was not the main concern but is related to an action.

FAQs

What's a good way to use "unintended harm" in a sentence?

You can use "unintended harm" to describe unforeseen negative consequences of an action or policy. For example, "The new regulations, while designed to improve safety, caused "unintended harm" to small businesses".

Are there alternatives to "unintended harm" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "inadvertent damage", "unforeseen consequences", or "collateral damage".

Is it correct to use "unintended harm" when the harm was actually the result of negligence?

No, "unintended harm" is best used when the negative outcome was truly unforeseen despite reasonable care. If the harm resulted from a lack of diligence, terms like negligence or recklessness are more appropriate.

What is the difference between "unintended harm" and "intentional harm"?

"Unintended harm" refers to negative consequences that were not planned or desired, while "intentional harm" refers to damage or injury that was deliberately caused.