What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harming
Example
Smoking can harm your health. [harm: verb]
Example
The chemicals in the cleaning product can harm the environment. [harm: verb]
Example
The company's decision to lay off employees will harm their reputation. [harm: verb]
hurting
Example
My ankle is hurting after I twisted it. [hurting: verb]
Example
The child was hurting after being bullied at school. [hurting: verb]
Example
The company's decision to cut benefits is hurting its employees. [hurting: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hurting is more commonly used than harming in everyday language, especially when referring to physical pain or emotional distress.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harming and hurting?
Both harming and hurting can be used in formal and informal contexts, but harming may be more commonly used in legal or technical contexts due to its broader scope.
