a sense of damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sense of damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an awareness or perception of harm or injury, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. Example: "After the storm, there was a palpable sense of damage in the community, as many homes were destroyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For Vaun, his family's past carries with it a sense of damage, even malevolence – "these people / Sitting in kitchens, chewing and being chewed".

The Guardian - Books

But Payne saw something in Forte's three-scene audition tape — a sweetness, a sincerity, a "sense of damage," but mostly, simply, he "believed him," as the director has said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even at the airport, Johnson began to get a sense of the damage wrought by Betsy.

The New Yorker

We have to get a sense of the damage — the buildings lost, the houses lost".

The New Yorker

This chart provides gives one a sense of the damage:We see a spike in relative unit labour costs.

The Economist

Maybe it is that education faculty tend to see a broader view, thus we have a sense of the damages of standardized testing and test preparation, for example.

Huffington Post

50 With a diagnosis of HIV, there often comes a sense of being "damaged goods" or "possessing a questionable character" that compromises this sense of worth.

Clinical interventions in aging

This at least gives us a sense of their shared damage and shared experience.

The Guardian - Books

Murray blasted a hole in them, even if there was a sense of self-inflicted damage.

Independent

Late last week, I visited several communities in Sonoma County to get a sense of the mounting damage, and of how residents were preparing for what lay ahead.

The New Yorker

"The redundancies at Tata Steel are deeply regrettable," the chancellor said at Treasury questions, in a voice that expressed more a sense of acceptable collateral damage than regret.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sense of damage", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the damage, whether it's physical, emotional, or psychological. For example, "The community felt a sense of damage after the factory closure."

Common error

Avoid using "a sense of damage" in situations where the damage isn't clearly defined or evident. Saying "There was a sense of damage" without specifying its origin or nature can make your writing unclear and weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of damage" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing an awareness or feeling related to harm or injury, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig confirms its validity in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sense of damage" describes an awareness or feeling of harm, injury, or loss. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It is most commonly found in news and media and science contexts, conveying the impact of events whether physical or emotional. While not as prevalent as other similar expressions, it effectively communicates a specific perception of harm. When using this phrase, ensure the source and nature of the damage are clear. Alternatives like "a feeling of devastation" or "an awareness of harm" may be considered depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase is deemed to have a neutral register that may be used in both informal and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feeling of devastation

Emphasizes the overwhelming and destructive nature of the damage.

an awareness of harm

Highlights the cognitive recognition of damage rather than the emotional impact.

a perception of injury

Focuses on the experience of being hurt or wounded, whether physically or emotionally.

a recognition of loss

Underscores the element of something being taken away or diminished.

a trace of trauma

Suggests lasting psychological effects from a damaging experience.

a shadow of suffering

Implies a lingering presence of pain or distress caused by damage.

a mark of adversity

Highlights the damaging experience as a challenge that has left its mark.

a hint of ruin

Suggests a subtle or partial state of damage or decay.

an echo of destruction

Emphasizes the lingering effects or memories of a damaging event.

a whiff of calamity

Implies a subtle sign of a disastrous or damaging situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a sense of damage" in a sentence?

You can use "a sense of damage" to describe a feeling or awareness of harm or injury, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. For example: "The survivors carried "a sense of damage" after the traumatic event."

What are some alternatives to "a sense of damage"?

Alternatives include "a feeling of devastation", "an awareness of harm", or "a perception of injury", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a sense of damage" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing the impact of events or situations in a nuanced way. However, ensure the context clearly defines the nature and source of the damage.

Can "a sense of damage" refer to both physical and emotional harm?

Yes, "a sense of damage" can be used to describe both physical and emotional harm. The specific type of damage should be clear from the context in which the phrase is used.