caused significant damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caused significant damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe the extent of harm or destruction resulting from an event or action. Example: "The storm caused significant damage to the coastal infrastructure, leading to extensive repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither caused significant damage.

The Washington Post

This had destabilised the relationship and caused significant damage".

The Guardian

Media reports suggested the detainees climbed on roofs and caused significant damage.

The Guardian

There were no injuries but the fire caused significant damage to the site.

The Guardian - Business

None of the Iraqi missiles have caused significant damage or injuries.

The New York Times

Storms have caused significant damage to Atlantic City's iconic boardwalk throughout its existence.

Princeton University

Likewise, no worm has deployed a payload that caused significant damage.

MIT Technology Review

Many herbicides have caused significant damage to the environment and humans.

Britannica

The assault caused "significant damage," including the destruction of a firetruck.

The Washington Post

A brick hitting the shuttle during launch could have caused significant damage.

MIT Technology Review

And, he added, these results showed that Asia had not caused significant damage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caused significant damage", ensure the context clearly specifies what suffered the damage and, if relevant, the nature or extent of the damage. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid pairing "caused significant damage" with vague adjectives that don't add meaningful information. Instead of saying "caused significant environmental damage ultimately", specify the type of environmental damage, such as "water pollution" or "habitat destruction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caused significant damage" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action performed by a subject. It indicates that something or someone brought about a considerable degree of harm or destruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

22%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caused significant damage" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the impact of an event or action that has resulted in considerable harm. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as academic and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what was damaged and the extent of the damage. Alternatives like "inflicted substantial damage" or "resulted in major destruction" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Avoid using vague adjectives to describe the damage, and be precise about the type of harm caused for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflicted substantial damage

Replaces "caused" with "inflicted" and "significant" with "substantial", both implying a considerable level of harm.

resulted in major destruction

Shifts the focus to the outcome, emphasizing the "destruction" rather than the act of causing it.

led to considerable harm

Uses "led to" instead of "caused", and "considerable harm" to replace "significant damage", softening the impact slightly.

precipitated extensive losses

Replaces "caused" with "precipitated", indicating a more direct cause, and uses "extensive losses" to denote the damage.

generated widespread devastation

Emphasizes the breadth of the damage with "widespread devastation", implying a large area was affected.

brought about serious impairment

Uses more formal language, replacing "damage" with "impairment" to indicate a reduced functionality or condition.

occasioned notable impairment

Similar to "brought about serious impairment" but uses "occasioned" and "notable" for a slightly different tone.

created substantial wreckage

Focuses on the physical remnants of the damage, using "wreckage" to describe the aftermath.

triggered considerable disruption

Highlights the interruption or disturbance caused, rather than the physical damage itself.

engendered marked deterioration

Uses more complex vocabulary to describe the process of worsening or decline as a result of the initial cause.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "caused significant damage" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "resulted in major destruction", "precipitated extensive losses", or "engendered marked deterioration". These options often appear in academic or professional contexts.

Is "caused significant damage" grammatically correct?

Yes, "caused significant damage" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in written English and commonly found in various sources.

What are some common contexts where I might use "caused significant damage"?

This phrase is often used in news reports, scientific articles, and general discussions about events like natural disasters, accidents, or conflicts. It describes the impact of an action or event.

What is the difference between "caused significant damage" and "caused irreparable damage"?

"Caused significant damage" implies substantial harm, while "caused irreparable damage" suggests the harm is beyond repair or restoration. The latter indicates a permanent, irreversible impact.