will be harmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be harmed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is going to experience physical, mental, or emotional harm as a result of certain events or actions. For example, "The students' education will be harmed if the school closes down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Ogunbowale wins DWTS, there is little chance that the NCAA and its products will be harmed by her success.

Forbes

I can smear a bacteria like s.maltophilia over the tester lipsticks in Sephora and no one will be harmed.

The New York Times

The motor and garage trades will be harmed.

The Economist

Nearly half of Americans think they will be harmed by global warming, and they think others will be harmed more.

Yale University

Frieze organisers stress that no one will be harmed.

The Guardian - Arts

Others will be harmed by receiving substandard support.

The Guardian

The record suggests that some teams will be harmed more than others.

The New York Times - Sports

"We will be harmed," he added, "so it is our right to review the matter".

The New York Times

"If you wish to drink bleach you will be harmed," he said.

Independent

"No one will be harmed," Gen. Ratko Mladic said, patting the boy's cheek.

The New York Times

And sooner or later, investors will be harmed by its heedless weakening of important protections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will be harmed", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what will experience the negative impact. Clarity is crucial in conveying the potential consequences.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice including "will be harmed" can make writing sound weak or vague. Consider active voice alternatives to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be harmed" functions as a passive future construction, indicating that someone or something is predicted to experience harm in the future. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will be harmed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to project future harm. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is used to convey the prediction or warning of negative consequences. While versatile, its passive voice makes it suitable for neutral to formal contexts like news reports, academic discussions, and professional statements. Due to its frequent occurrence in both academic and media settings, it's important to consider the clarity and impact of your message when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be hurt

Focuses more on the immediate sensation of injury or pain, whether physical or emotional.

will be damaged

Emphasizes the physical or structural impairment that may occur.

will be injured

Specifically refers to physical harm or wounds.

will be affected negatively

Highlights the adverse impact without specifying the type of harm.

will suffer consequences

Focuses on the repercussions or results of an action or event.

will be at risk

Emphasizes the potential danger or exposure to harm.

will be jeopardized

Highlights the potential for something important to be lost or put in danger.

will be compromised

Suggests that something will be weakened or impaired in its ability to function properly.

will face repercussions

Similar to 'suffer consequences', but with a stronger emphasis on accountability.

will be vulnerable

Focuses on the state of being susceptible to harm or attack.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "will be harmed" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions such as "will harm", or "will damage". For example, instead of saying "the environment "will be harmed" by pollution", you could say "pollution "will harm" the environment".

What are some synonyms for "will be harmed" in a legal context?

In legal writing, you might use more formal alternatives like "will be prejudiced", "will be impaired", or "will suffer damages" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "will be harmed" in my writing?

While grammatically correct, consider the tone and context. In less formal settings, simpler phrases like "will get hurt" or "will be affected" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "will be harmed" and "may be harmed"?

"Will be harmed" suggests a higher degree of certainty or likelihood of harm occurring, while "may be harmed" indicates a possibility or uncertainty about the harm.