Meaning and use of 'harm'

[karen]

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Synonyms for threat and danger", question 6

I hope you realize that as a climber you will be exposed to the ......... of the severe mountains.

(a) perils
(b) adventures
(c) harms
(d) injuries

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Synonyms for threat and danger", answer 6

I hope you realize that as a climber you will be exposed to the perils of the severe mountains.

Correct answer: (a) perils
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what does the word "harms" mean?

[Pamela]

In general it means damage,hurt,injury,mischief..

[Alan]

Hi,

Harm is not usually used in the plural. If you see the word harms, it will be the third person singular of the prsent tense. As a noun it often has the sense of hurt as a result of an accident. It is also used in other word forms like unharmed and harmless. You could say: The driver crashed his car into a tree but managed to escape unharmed (without any injury). Again: There is no danger in eating that fruit as it is quite harmless (will not cause you any problem)

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a flat hunter

[Pamela]

I believe harms was used here on purpose to test knowledge of the person who takes this test.I've never come across the plural form of this word(it seems a bit awkward to me )anyway answerig to the question I meant harm