a little damage

USAGE SUMMARY

'a little damage' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a comparatively minor amount of harm that has been done to something. For example: "The wind storm caused a little damage to the roof, but luckily nothing serious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Even a little damage affects our presentation to Toyota".

The New York Times

"He is not afraid to do a little damage, including some damage on himself.

The New York Times

"I had to call and do a little damage control," she said.

The New York Times

The internet is doing a little damage but not as much as the people training them.

Independent

These days Ms. Styler seems just as sharply focused on exerting a little damage control.

The New York Times

"My gate had a little damage to it, that's how I would know it," Ms. Davis said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

With a gentle reminder of his wilder days, his friend Charles Lamb described Coleridge as "an Arch Angel a little damaged".

The Guardian - Books

"We're all a little damaged; we all can be unicorns," he said, referring to the glass figurine with which Laura identifies.

The New York Times

And Consob can suspend BPI's bid until the end of October.All this has left Italy's reputation as a sensible place in which to invest more than a little damaged.

The Economist

You could even argue that "Some Kind of Monster" is a rock 'n' roll film that really has nothing to do with music, and that it's actually a 2-hour-20-minute meditation on therapy, celebrity and the possibility that just about everyone is a little damaged.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There's something internally that's a little damaged.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the extent of damage, use "a little damage" to convey that the harm is minor and not significantly impactful. This helps to set appropriate expectations and avoid exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "a little damage" when the actual damage is substantial or severe. This can mislead the audience and undermine the seriousness of the situation. Instead, opt for phrases like "significant damage" or "extensive harm" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little damage" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb. Ludwig examples confirm it describes the extent of harm or impairment in a variety of situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little damage" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to describe minor harm or impairment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more precise language when necessary, especially in formal or technical writing. When using "a little damage", ensure that it accurately reflects the extent of the harm to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight harm

Replaces "damage" with a more general term for harm and removes "a little" making it more succinct.

minor impairment

Substitutes "damage" with "impairment", suggesting a reduction in functionality or quality and replaces "a little" making it more formal.

some injury

Uses "injury" instead of "damage", implying physical harm or hurt and replaces "a little" making it less specific.

small amount of destruction

Replaces "damage" with "destruction", emphasizing the act of destroying something. "A little" replaced with "small amount of" to keep the same intention.

limited wreckage

Employs "wreckage" to denote what remains after destruction or damage and replace "a little" with "limited".

a touch of wear

Suggests a minor level of use or deterioration, focusing on the effect over time, especially on physical objects.

a shade of impairment

Refers to a very slight impact or damage, almost imperceptible.

a trace of harm

Indicates minimal harm, barely noticeable or significant.

a hint of deterioration

Suggests an early stage of decay or decline in condition.

marginal impact

Focuses on the effect being minimal or on the edge of significance.

FAQs

How can I use "a little damage" in a sentence?

You can use "a little damage" to describe minor harm or impairment, for example: "The storm caused "a little damage" to the garden, but nothing major".

What are some alternatives to saying "a little damage"?

Alternatives include "slight harm", "minor impairment", or "some injury", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a little damage" in formal writing?

Yes, "a little damage" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when accuracy is important. However, more formal alternatives like "marginal impact" or "limited wreckage" may be preferred in some contexts.

What's the difference between "a little damage" and "significant damage"?

"A little damage" indicates minor harm, while "significant damage" implies substantial harm. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the extent of the damage.