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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a damage that
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a damage that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "damage" is an uncountable noun and should not be preceded by "a." Example: "The damage that occurred during the storm was extensive."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
This view of nature you have stated admirably [is] admitted by all naturalists & denied by no one of common sense.... [But] the crown & glory of organic science that it does... link material to moral... Were it possible (which thank God it is not) to break it, humanity in my mind, would suffer a damage that might brutalize it--& sink the human race into... degradation.
News & Media
Therefore, these observations once again indicated that GCE altered RNA and DNA, as was observed with the other Bifidobacterium strains tested in this study, although the change was less pronounced for this strain, and reported for other bacteria elsewhere, a damage that may eventually lead to cessation of growth or microbial death.
First quandary: They celebrated that you were a Jet Ski rental guy to ken where to probe for damages because they'd found a damage that no one would search for.
News & Media
Indeed, it was suggested [ 44] that "Extrapolation of the [ Trp73−/−] mouse brain defect on the human brain would predict a substantial reduction of primary visual cortex and occipitotemporal association areas, a damage that, combined with the entorhinal malformation, would lead to severe cognitive disabilities and mental retardation".
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
A promise to undo any damage that four years of a Trump administration could inflict on this country.
News & Media
It's just a lot of damage that's been done.
News & Media
I guess the rain caused a lot of damage that affected the unit.
News & Media
Well, yes, I ventured, "but there's a lot of damage that comes from hiding".
News & Media
Microscopic examination of wings infected by G. destructans reveals a degree of damage that suggests functional impairment.
Science
This disease is characterized by a progressive cell damage that targets the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retina.
Science
Other complications included heart problems and a kind of muscle damage that could lead to kidney failure, the agency said.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use "damage" without the article "a" when referring to it in a general sense. Instead of "a damage", use "damage". For example, "The damage that the storm caused was significant".
Common error
Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before "damage". "Damage" is an uncountable noun, and using "a" suggests it is countable. Reword to eliminate "a damage" or replace it with "some damage".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a damage that" is grammatically questionable. Its intended function is to act as a noun phrase, modifying a subsequent clause. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, "damage" is generally uncountable and should not be preceded by the indefinite article "a". The presence of examples does not override the general grammatical rule.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "a damage that" appears in some sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect because "damage" is generally an uncountable noun. Ludwig AI underscores this point. More appropriate alternatives include ""damage that"", ""the damage caused by"", or ""the harm that"". Although the existing examples come from reputable news and science sources, using a grammatically correct alternative improves clarity and credibility. Therefore, it's best to avoid using "a damage that" in formal writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
damage that
Omits the unnecessary indefinite article 'a', adhering to correct grammar for uncountable nouns.
the damage caused by
Specifies the cause of the damage, providing a more complete description of the event.
the harm that
Replaces 'damage' with 'harm', a synonym, maintaining the rest of the structure.
the destruction that
Emphasizes a more severe negative impact than "damage", suggesting total ruin.
the negative impact that
Uses a more formal and general term ('negative impact') instead of "damage".
the level of damage that
Clarifies the extent or degree of damage involved.
the amount of damage that
Quantifies the damage, indicating a specific measurement or degree.
the extent of the damage that
Focuses on the scope or range of the damage.
the injury that
Replaces 'damage' with 'injury', focusing on physical harm.
the loss that
Shifts the focus to what was lost as a result of the damage.
FAQs
Is it correct to say "a damage"?
No, it is generally incorrect to use the indefinite article "a" before "damage" because "damage" is an uncountable noun. You should say "damage" without the article.
What is a more grammatically correct way to say "a damage that"?
Instead of "a damage that", use alternatives like "damage that", "the damage caused by", or "the harm that".
When can I use "a" before a word related to damage?
You can use "a" before words like "injury" or "loss", which are countable nouns. For example, "a significant injury" or "a considerable loss".
What is the difference between "damage" and "a damage"?
"Damage" refers to harm or injury in general, while the phrase "a damage" is typically grammatically incorrect. Using "damage" without "a" is the standard and correct form.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested