very harmful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very harmful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the degree of harm caused by something, often in discussions about health, safety, or environmental issues. Example: "The chemicals released into the water supply are very harmful to aquatic life and human health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Potentially very harmful.

The Guardian

"Rumors can be very harmful.

The New York Times

Which is very harmful to the body.

Harvard University

"It was very stressful and very harmful to the state".

The New York Times

· Anything higher would substantially increase risks of very harmful impacts.

The Guardian

An insider data breach would be very harmful.

The Guardian - Tech

"This can be very harmful, particularly for adolescents".

The New Yorker

Chatter is very harmful to precision machining process.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

This is, in most occasions, very harmful to machine tools.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Adult moths are very harmful, in economic terms.

Britannica

"The breakdown of these items is very, very harmful".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very harmful", consider specifying the exact nature or extent of the harm to provide more clarity and impact. For instance, instead of saying "social media is very harmful", specify the context: "social media can be very harmful to teenagers' self-esteem".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very" to intensify adjectives. While "very harmful" is acceptable, explore stronger, more descriptive alternatives like "devastating", "pernicious", or "catastrophic" to add nuance and prevent repetitive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very harmful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the significant negative impact or damage associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, underscoring its role in highlighting the severity of consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

27%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very harmful" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to emphasize the significant negative impact of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic settings. While versatile, it's important to consider stronger, more descriptive alternatives to prevent overuse and enhance the impact of your writing. Remember to specify the nature and extent of the harm for clarity and relevance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate the severity of consequences while maintaining a clear and compelling writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely detrimental

Replaces "very harmful" with synonyms that emphasize the severity of the negative impact.

highly damaging

Focuses on the damaging aspect, suggesting significant harm or destruction.

seriously detrimental

Highlights the seriousness of the harm caused, emphasizing its potential consequences.

incredibly destructive

Emphasizes the destructive nature of the harmful effect.

profoundly injurious

Uses more formal language to convey a deep and significant level of harm.

acutely detrimental

Indicates a sharp and severe form of harm.

majorly adverse

Less formal, but still conveys a significant negative impact.

quite pernicious

Highlights the subtle but destructive nature of the harm.

decidedly unhealthy

Focuses specifically on harm to health or well-being.

substantially dangerous

Shifts focus to the dangerous aspect of being harmful, implying a risk of severe consequences.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "very harmful"?

You can use alternatives such as "extremely detrimental", "highly damaging", or "seriously detrimental" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very harmful"?

Yes, the phrase "very harmful" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the degree of harm caused by something.

How can I make my writing more descriptive than just using "very harmful"?

Instead of relying on "very harmful", try using stronger and more specific adjectives that convey the severity and nature of the harm, such as "devastating", "pernicious", or "catastrophic".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "very harmful"?

The phrase "very harmful" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the significant negative impact of something, particularly in discussions about health, safety, environmental issues, or personal well-being.