criminal damage

USAGE SUMMARY

"criminal damage" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe acts of vandalism or destruction of property. For example, "The police reported that the suspect was responsible for a large amount of criminal damage to city property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I haven't done criminal damage".

The New York Times

They were cited for misdemeanor criminal damage.

The New York Times

He has been charged with criminal damage.

The Guardian

Three people were cautioned for criminal damage.

The Guardian

Previous convictions for assault and criminal damage.

The Guardian

The four all deny criminal damage.

The Guardian

The incidents are being treated as criminal damage, police said.

Independent

Everywhere else, criminal damage was the first type of offence.

The Guardian

In 2014, Hampton's daughter received a caution for criminal damage.

The Guardian

Police officers arrested one person on suspicion of criminal damage.

The Guardian

Alleged offences included criminal damage, aggravated trespass and violent disorder.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on incidents, use "criminal damage" to specifically denote acts that are considered a crime under the relevant laws. Ensure the context clearly indicates the legal implications.

Common error

Be specific when differentiating "criminal damage" from general "vandalism". "Criminal damage" carries legal weight and should only be used when the act meets the legal definition of a crime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal damage" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence when describing a specific type of crime involving property. Ludwig examples show its use in news reports and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "criminal damage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily within news, legal and scientific contexts. It serves to classify specific incidents involving property damage that meet legal criteria for a crime. When writing, it's important to use "criminal damage" precisely when referring to acts that legally qualify as such, distinguishing it from broader terms like "vandalism". The high frequency and diverse examples available through Ludwig, along with its authoritative sources, makes it a reliable resource for understanding and utilizing this phrase accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vandalism

A more general term referring to the deliberate destruction or damage of property.

property destruction

Focuses on the act of destroying property, regardless of criminal intent.

malicious damage

Emphasizes the intent to cause harm or damage.

damage to property

A broader phrase that includes both intentional and unintentional damage.

property defacement

Specifically refers to damaging the surface or appearance of property.

vandalistic acts

Highlights the actions causing damage, often involving a series of incidents.

illegal destruction

Emphasizes the unlawful nature of the destructive act.

wanton destruction

Stresses the reckless and unjustified nature of the damage.

wilful damage

Highlights the deliberate intention behind the act of damaging property.

unlawful damage

Focuses on the illegality of damaging property.

FAQs

How is "criminal damage" typically used in a sentence?

You can use "criminal damage" to describe acts that involve intentional or reckless damage to property. For example, "The suspect was arrested for "criminal damage" to several vehicles."

What are some alternative terms for "criminal damage"?

Alternatives include "vandalism", "property destruction", or "malicious damage", depending on the specific context and intent.

What's the difference between "criminal damage" and "vandalism"?

"Criminal damage" is a legal term referring to intentional or reckless damage to property that constitutes a crime. "Vandalism" is a more general term that may or may not involve criminal intent or meet the legal threshold for "criminal damage".

When should I use "criminal damage" instead of "property damage"?

Use "criminal damage" when you want to emphasize the legal and criminal implications of the act. "Property damage" is a broader term that includes accidental or unintentional damage, which would not be considered a crime.