What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bad
Example
The movie was really bad. [bad: adjective]
Example
Eating too much junk food is bad for your health. [bad: preposition]
Example
He has a bad habit of interrupting people when they're speaking. [bad: noun]
harmful
Example
Smoking is harmful to your lungs. [harmful: adjective]
Example
Exposure to harmful chemicals can be dangerous. [harmful: adjective]
Example
It's important to avoid harmful behaviors like bullying. [harmful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bad is a more commonly used word in everyday language, covering a wide range of contexts and situations. Harmful is less common and tends to be used in more specific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bad and harmful?
Both bad and harmful can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, harmful may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing, giving it a slightly more formal tone.
