cause more damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause more damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative effects or consequences of an action or event. Example: "If we don't address the issue now, it could cause more damage to the environment in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't rub — that can cause more damage.

The Washington Post

"Each one can cause more damage," she said.

The New York Times

They worry moving it might cause more damage.

The Washington Post

Indeed, obstinacy can cause more damage than retreating under fire.

Independent

The sentry guns and gun turrets upgrades cause more damage and allow for more accuracy.

The Guardian - Tech

"Not to give real help now would cause more damage later".

The New York Times

First, misinformation appears to cause more damage when it's subtle than when it's blatant.

The New Yorker

"We need validation that it is appropriate, and won't cause more damage," he said.

The New Yorker

These cause more damage to the discipline than if management was simply ignorant.

Harvard Business Review

Under continued intense loading, resorption spaces could potentially cause more damage than they remove.

Bone

The laws of physics tell us that heavier vehicles tend to cause more damage in crashes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential consequences, use "cause more damage" to emphasize that the action will worsen an existing problem or create new harm.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, overusing "cause more damage" can make writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "exacerbate", "aggravate", or "worsen" to maintain reader engagement and improve the flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause more damage" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically follows a subject (noun or pronoun) and indicates an action that results in increased harm or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause more damage" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates an action will worsen an existing negative situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts. While widely accepted, varying your word choice with alternatives like "exacerbate the damage" or "inflict greater harm" can enhance writing. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register. Remember to avoid overuse and consider the specific implications of each alternative to effectively communicate the potential for increased harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict greater harm

Emphasizes the act of deliberately causing harm, suggesting a stronger intent or impact.

exacerbate the damage

Highlights the worsening of existing damage, implying that the situation was already negative.

aggravate the situation

Focuses on making a situation worse, often referring to problems or conflicts rather than physical damage.

compound the problem

Indicates adding to an existing problem, making it more complex or severe.

heighten the destruction

Emphasizes the increase in destructive impact, suggesting a significant escalation.

generate further destruction

Focuses on creation/generation of destruction, more than only 'cause'.

bring about added destruction

Focuses on the action of bringing something to existence, 'bring about'.

lead to greater destruction

Highlights the path of leading to a major damage/destruction.

be the source of new damage

Focuses on identifying the very source or reason for new damage.

trigger increased destruction

Implies something being activated to produce some damage or destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "cause more damage" in a sentence?

You can use "cause more damage" to describe the potential negative consequences of an action or decision. For example, "Ignoring the warning signs could "cause more damage" to the engine."

What can I say instead of "cause more damage"?

You can use alternatives like "inflict greater harm", "exacerbate the damage", or "aggravate the situation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cause further damage" instead of "cause more damage"?

Yes, "cause further damage" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to ""cause more damage"". Both phrases are used to indicate that an action will result in additional harm.

What's the difference between "cause damage" and "cause more damage"?

"Cause damage" generally refers to the initial act of causing harm, while ""cause more damage"" implies that some damage already exists, and the action in question will worsen the situation.