was harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was harmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has suffered damage or injury in the past. Example: "The victim was harmed during the altercation, leading to an investigation by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Neither man was harmed.

The New York Times - Sports

No one was harmed.

The New York Times

No one else was harmed.

The New York Times

"I was harmed," he said.

The New York Times

No elected official was harmed.

The New York Times

Sure enough, the environment was harmed.

Yale University

Purely by chance, nobody else was harmed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

No Americans were harmed.

The New York Times

No detainee has been harmed.

The Economist

Who is harmed?

The Guardian - Sport

None were harmed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was harmed", ensure the context clearly identifies what or who caused the harm to provide a complete picture for the reader. For example: "The environment was harmed by the oil spill".

Common error

Avoid using "was harmed" in overly passive constructions that obscure responsibility. Instead of "Mistakes were made and someone was harmed", specify who made the mistakes and who was affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was harmed" functions primarily as the passive voice of the verb 'harm', indicating that a subject received damage or injury. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing impacts on people, objects, and the environment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

31%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was harmed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe situations where damage or injury has occurred, spanning physical, emotional, or environmental contexts. Predominantly found in news and academic sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide array of writing scenarios. When using "was harmed", ensure clarity by specifying the cause and nature of the harm, avoiding overly passive constructions that obscure responsibility. By understanding its usage and alternatives, writers can effectively convey the impact of events with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was injured

A straightforward synonym indicating physical hurt.

suffered injury

Emphasizes the physical or emotional damage experienced.

sustained damage

Focuses on the physical or material harm received.

was wounded

Implies physical injury, often in a violent context.

incurred harm

Highlights the action of acquiring damage or negative consequences.

was impaired

Suggests a reduction in function or ability due to damage.

came to grief

Indicates a disastrous or unfortunate outcome.

was afflicted

Suggests suffering from a condition or negative influence.

experienced trauma

Specifically refers to deep emotional or psychological damage.

took a beating

An informal way to describe significant damage or defeat.

FAQs

How can I use "was harmed" in a sentence?

The phrase "was harmed" indicates that someone or something experienced damage or injury. For example, "The historical artifact "was damaged" during the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to "was harmed"?

Alternatives include "was injured", "sustained damage", or "suffered harm depending" on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was harmed"?

While "was harmed" is in the passive voice, consider using the active voice for clarity. For instance, instead of "The city "was devastated" by the storm," you could say "The storm devastated the city".

What's the difference between "was harmed" and "was injured"?

"Was harmed" is a broader term encompassing any kind of damage or injury, while "was injured" specifically refers to physical hurt. For example, a reputation "was damaged", but a person "was injured".