without harming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without harming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or processes that aim to avoid causing damage or injury to someone or something. Example: "We should find a way to implement these changes without harming the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could be enacted immediately without harming the economic recovery.

The New York Times

It completely suppressed the TB without harming the guinea pigs.

The Guardian

The alcohol will kill them without harming the plant.

The New Yorker

This practice kills target insects without harming other species.

The New York Times - Science

Reducing automobile use, without harming retail business, is a laudable goal.

The New York Times

One aim of climate-change legislation is to reduce carbon emissions without harming the economy.

The Economist

Graffiti, taggers believe, is not easily covered or removed from trees without harming them.

The New York Times

SFS officials said workers will be able to work around plants and trees without harming them.

The New York Times - Science

He studied chemistry to learn how to use different kinds of plastic without harming human skin.

The New York Times

Payments to drug companies and medical device makers can often be cut without harming beneficiaries.

The New York Times

Sheeran has earned around £15m from 3 billion Spotify plays without harming his album sales.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider whether a more specific verb like "damaging", "injuring", or "endangering" might better capture the intended meaning than the broader term "harming".

Common error

In highly formal or legal writing, substituting "without prejudice to" or "without detriment to" can provide a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without harming" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action is performed in a way that avoids causing damage or injury. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in numerous examples where actions are qualified by the condition of not causing harm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without harming" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate actions taken carefully to avoid damage or injury. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific literature. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider context and choose more precise alternatives like "without damaging" or "without compromising" for enhanced clarity. Remember that you can always use Ludwig to find more examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without damaging

This alternative focuses specifically on physical damage.

without injuring

This alternative emphasizes the avoidance of physical injury to living beings.

without endangering

This alternative suggests preventing a situation where something is at risk of harm.

without compromising

This alternative highlights the avoidance of weakening or impairing something.

without hurting

This is a more general term for avoiding causing pain or distress, either physical or emotional.

without affecting

This alternative emphasizes avoiding any impact, which may not necessarily be harmful, but still implies caution.

without impairing

This term suggests avoiding the reduction or weakening of functionality or quality.

without prejudice to

This phrase is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts to indicate that an action does not affect other rights or claims.

without detriment to

A more formal alternative indicating no negative impact or loss.

in a way that does not harm

This is a more verbose phrasing expressing the same concept.

FAQs

How can I use "without harming" in a sentence?

The phrase "without harming" is used to describe actions or processes that avoid causing damage or injury. For example, "We need to reduce carbon emissions "without harming the economy"."

What can I say instead of "without harming"?

You can use alternatives like "without damaging", "without injuring", or "without compromising" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "without harm" instead of "without harming"?

While "without harm" is grammatically correct, "without harming" is typically used when describing an action or process that actively avoids causing harm. "Without harm" usually refers to a state of being unharmed.

What's the difference between "without harming" and "without hurting"?

"Without hurting" is a more general and often emotional term, while "without harming" usually refers to physical damage or negative impact. For example, you might try to give constructive feedback "without hurting someone's feelings", but try to kill weeds "without harming the grass".