damage by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'damage by' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to damage that has been caused by something, such as an event, action, or person. For example, "The accident left the car with extensive damage by a careless driver."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Measure the damage by the punishment.

The New York Times

(Bantam) 22. DAMAGE, by John Lescroart.

The New York Times

"It's not damage by money; it's damage by emotion".

The New York Times

"We've got great damage by Sony Pictures.

The Guardian - Tech

They can also do damage by withholding this support.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nano-Technicians, meanwhile, inflict damage by unleashing destructive nanotechnology programs.

The New York Times - Tech

The Tusk that Did the Damage by Tania James (Vintage).

The Guardian - Books

Damage by toothbrushing is more common than you might think.

The New York Times

There were no lacerations consistent with damage by glass.

The New York Times - Magazine

Should he risk further damage by gathering those points?

The Economist

The agency estimates that these partnerships cut flood damage by nearly $1 billion a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the cause of damage, ensure the agent or event following "by" is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "damage by the flood" rather than simply "damage by water" if the context requires clarification.

Common error

Avoid attributing "damage by" a vague or overly broad category. Be specific and accurate about the direct cause. Instead of "damage by pollution", identify the specific pollutant responsible for the damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damage by" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the cause or agent responsible for the damage. It connects the damage to its source, clarifying what or who inflicted it. Ludwig AI supports this structure with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "damage by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to identify the cause or agent responsible for damage. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. To ensure clarity, be specific when identifying the source of the damage. While there are several alternative phrases, such as "harm caused by" or "destruction wrought by", the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When using "damage by", avoid vague attributions and focus on clearly identifying the direct cause. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately communicate the source of damage in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harm caused by

Replaces "damage" with a synonym "harm", maintaining a similar level of formality.

destruction wrought by

Uses "destruction" for a more intense degree of damage, and "wrought" for a more formal tone.

impairment resulting from

Formal alternative, using "impairment" and "resulting from" to indicate a causal relationship.

loss inflicted by

Focuses on the "loss" aspect of the damage, suggesting a more direct action.

spoilage due to

Suitable for damage related to food or materials deteriorating.

injury caused by

More specific to physical harm or damage.

deterioration stemming from

Emphasizes a gradual decline or decay as the cause of damage.

the effect of

A broader, less specific way to indicate causation.

consequences of

Highlights the result or aftermath of the damaging event.

side effects of

Specifically refers to unintended or secondary damage.

FAQs

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

Use "damage by" to indicate the cause of harm or destruction. For example, "The building suffered significant "damage by" the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to using "damage by"?

You could use phrases like "harm caused by", "destruction wrought by", or "impairment resulting from" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "damage by" or "caused by"?

"Damage by" is a concise way to express causation of damage. "Caused by" is a more general phrase applicable to a wider range of situations. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

What's the difference between ""damage by"" and "damage from"?

"Damage by" typically refers to the direct agent or cause of the damage, while "damage from" may refer to a more indirect source or the means through which the damage occurred. For example, "damage by the fire" versus "damage from the smoke".