Hurt - Harm - Impair
These words all mean to have a bad effect on sb/sth.
Damage to cause physical harm to sth, making it less attractive, useful or valuable; to have a bad effect on sb/sth’s life, health, happiness or chances of success: The fire badly damaged the town hall. | Emotionally damaged children.
Hurt (rather informal) to have a bad effect on sb/sth’s life, health, happiness or chances of success: Hard work never hurt anyone.
Harm to have a bad effect on sb/sth’s life, health, happiness or chances of success: Pollution can harm marine life.
Impair (rather formal) to damage sb’s health, abilities or chances: Even one drink can impair driving performance.
DAMAGE, HURT OR HARM?
Hurt is slightly less formal than damage or harm, especially when it is used in negative statements: It won’t hurt him to have to wait a bit. | I won’t damage/harm him to have to wait a bit. Harm is also often used to talk about ways in which things in the natural world such as wildlife and the environment are affected by human activity.
PATTERNS
*to damage/hurt/harm/impair sb’s chances
*to damage/hurt/harm sb’s interests/reputation
*to damage/harm/impair sb’s health
*to seriously/greatly damage/hurt/harm/impair sb/sth
*to badly/severely damage/hurt/impair sb/sth
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Top Tips Abz Ingles - Notes on usage - Synonyms
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See also:
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