15초 만에
- Describes negative consequences or damage caused by something.
- Commonly used for health, environment, and social habits.
- A balance between medical talk and everyday conversation.
뜻
This phrase describes the bad things that happen as a result of an action or substance. It is like saying something has a 'nasty side effect' that hurts your health, the environment, or a situation.
주요 예문
3 / 6Discussing a new diet
I'm worried about the harmful effects of skipping breakfast every day.
I'm worried about the damaging results of skipping breakfast every day.
In a science class
The harmful effects of pollution on the local river are clear.
The damaging results of pollution on the local river are clear.
Reading a medicine label
This medication may have harmful effects if taken with alcohol.
This medication may have damaging results if taken with alcohol.
문화적 배경
The phrase is heavily used in 'Surgeon General's Warnings' on tobacco and alcohol products, making it a very recognizable part of public life. In the UK, the phrase is frequently used in BBC documentaries and educational programs (like BBC Bitesize) to teach children about science and ethics. This is a 'lingua franca' phrase for international organizations like the WHO and the UN when writing reports that need to be translated into many languages. In the tech world, 'harmful effects' is often used in discussions about AI ethics and social media algorithms.
Use with 'Mitigate'
If you want to sound very advanced, use the verb 'mitigate' with 'harmful effects.' It means to make the damage less severe.
Effect vs Affect
This is the #1 mistake native speakers make too. Always use 'effect' with 'harmful' because you are describing a thing (a result).
15초 만에
- Describes negative consequences or damage caused by something.
- Commonly used for health, environment, and social habits.
- A balance between medical talk and everyday conversation.
What It Means
Harmful effects is a classic way to describe the damage something causes. Think of it as the 'bad news' after an action. If you eat too much sugar, the harmful effects might be a stomachache or a sugar crash. It focuses on the negative consequences that follow a specific cause. It is not just a small mistake. It implies real, lasting damage or injury.
How To Use It
You usually use it when talking about health, nature, or habits. It often follows verbs like 'cause,' 'study,' or 'reduce.' You can say, 'Scientists are studying the harmful effects of plastic.' It sounds smart but is very easy to understand. You can use it in a serious talk or a casual chat about wellness. Just remember that 'effects' is the noun here. Don't mix it up with the verb 'affect'!
When To Use It
Use this when you want to sound clear and objective. It is perfect for a doctor's appointment. It works great when discussing news stories about the environment. You can even use it when giving a friend advice. For example, 'You should quit smoking because of the harmful effects.' It adds a bit of weight to your words. It makes the danger feel real and documented.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for very tiny, funny problems. If your cat knocks over a glass of water, don't call it harmful effects. That is too dramatic! Use 'mess' or 'accident' instead. Also, do not use it for people's intentional mean actions. If a friend is rude, they aren't a 'harmful effect.' They are just being a jerk. Keep this phrase for results and consequences, not personalities.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love talking about safety and health. You will see this phrase on every medicine bottle and cleaning product. It became very popular during the environmental movements of the 1970s. People started worrying about what chemicals do to the Earth. Now, it is a standard part of how we discuss 'wellness' and 'self-care.' It reflects a culture that is very focused on long-term consequences.
Common Variations
You might hear people say negative impact or adverse reactions. Adverse reactions is usually for medicine. Negative impact is common in business meetings. If you want to be more casual, you might say bad results. However, harmful effects is the 'Goldilocks' phrase. It is not too scientific, but not too slangy. It fits almost anywhere.
사용 참고사항
This is a neutral-to-formal collocation. It's safe for work, school, and serious personal conversations, but might feel 'heavy' in light-hearted social settings.
Use with 'Mitigate'
If you want to sound very advanced, use the verb 'mitigate' with 'harmful effects.' It means to make the damage less severe.
Effect vs Affect
This is the #1 mistake native speakers make too. Always use 'effect' with 'harmful' because you are describing a thing (a result).
Softening the Blow
In British English, people might say 'potentially harmful effects' to sound more polite and less aggressive when giving advice.
예시
6I'm worried about the harmful effects of skipping breakfast every day.
I'm worried about the damaging results of skipping breakfast every day.
Used here to express concern about health habits.
The harmful effects of pollution on the local river are clear.
The damaging results of pollution on the local river are clear.
A standard way to describe environmental damage.
This medication may have harmful effects if taken with alcohol.
This medication may have damaging results if taken with alcohol.
Formal warning found on pharmaceutical packaging.
I'm taking a break from TikTok; the harmful effects on my sleep are real!
I'm taking a break from TikTok; the damaging results on my sleep are real!
Relatable modern use regarding digital health.
Beware the harmful effects of my mom's spicy chili—your tongue might melt!
Beware the damaging results of my mom's spicy chili!
Using a serious phrase for a funny exaggeration.
The harmful effects of that toxic relationship lasted for years.
The damaging results of that toxic relationship lasted for years.
Used to describe emotional or psychological damage.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence about health.
The ______ ______ of smoking on the lungs are well-known.
We need the adjective 'harmful' and the noun 'effects.'
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
Scientists are studying the harmful effects of microplastics ___ the ocean.
The standard preposition for the target of an effect is 'on.'
Match the cause with its likely harmful effect.
Match the items:
These are common real-world examples of harmful effects.
Complete the dialogue between a doctor and a patient.
Doctor: 'You should stop drinking so much soda.' Patient: 'Why?' Doctor: 'Because of the ______ ______ on your blood sugar levels.'
'Harmful effects' is the most appropriate formal medical term here.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Harmful vs. Beneficial
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제The ______ ______ of smoking on the lungs are well-known.
We need the adjective 'harmful' and the noun 'effects.'
Scientists are studying the harmful effects of microplastics ___ the ocean.
The standard preposition for the target of an effect is 'on.'
왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:
These are common real-world examples of harmful effects.
Doctor: 'You should stop drinking so much soda.' Patient: 'Why?' Doctor: 'Because of the ______ ______ on your blood sugar levels.'
'Harmful effects' is the most appropriate formal medical term here.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, it usually is. In a text to a friend, you'd probably say 'bad for you' or 'messes you up.'
You can, and people will understand you, but 'harmful effects' is a much stronger collocation and sounds more natural.
'Toxic' specifically means poisonous. 'Harmful' is broader and can include things like social media or bad laws.
Usually, yes, if you are talking about specific effects of a specific thing. 'The harmful effects of sugar...'
Yes, for example: 'The harmful effects of his angry outbursts on his family.'
Almost. 'Adverse effects' is more common in medical and technical writing, while 'harmful effects' is more general.
It starts with an 'ih' sound, like 'it.' ih-FEKTS.
'Of' is much more common and preferred in formal writing.
It's almost always plural ('effects') because one thing usually causes multiple types of damage.
Absolutely. It sounds professional and serious.
관련 표현
adverse effects
synonymUnwanted or harmful results, usually from a drug or medical treatment.
side effects
similarSecondary effects of a drug or action, which can be good or bad.
negative consequences
synonymThe bad results of an action or decision.
beneficial effects
contrastGood or helpful results.
knock-on effects
builds onIndirect results that happen because of an initial event.
