damaged by lightning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "damaged by lightning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object or structure that has suffered harm as a result of a lightning strike. Example: "The old oak tree in the park was severely damaged by lightning during the storm last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The house had been damaged by lightning or a heavy storm and part of it had collapsed.

The Guardian

Some even include an offer to replace any equipment damaged by lightning while attached to the U.P.S.

The New York Times - Tech

The ceramic, circular insulators, for instance, can be damaged by lightning — or by frustrated hunters, who have been known to shoot at them when deer are scarce.

The New York Times

Investigators suspect that the collapse of a crane on East 91st Street last month, which killed two workers, was caused by the failure of a weld to repair the crane's turntable, which was damaged by lightning in 2007.

The New York Times

The launching of the space shuttle Endeavour was postponed on Saturday for at least a day so engineers could make sure that the spacecraft's electrical systems had not been damaged by lightning strikes.

The New York Times

They said that if one of the hundreds of fiberglass panels in the radome were damaged by lightning or ice, climbers would have to scale it, winches would have to be installed on the upper reaches of the tower, and cables would have to be lowered to the 9/11 Memorial plaza, where replacement pieces weighing thousands of pounds would await.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Train passengers in Manchester bore the brunt of the problems after track signals were damaged by a lightning strike, stranding some trains at Manchester Piccadilly station.

The Guardian

While looking for the Marines near Aether, Samus's ship is damaged by severe lightning storms from the planet.

Wikipedia

In 1724 the 14th century spire of the Church of the Holy Ghost in Crowcombe was damaged by a lightning strike.

Wikipedia

The jobs these days involve inspecting turbines, cleaning them and repairing them, which becomes necessary if a blade is struck by lightning or damaged by ice.

The New York Times

St. Paul's Church, Walworth, was struck by lightning and severely damaged by explosion and fire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of lightning on electrical equipment, specify the type of damage, such as "fried circuits" or "power surge damage", for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when describing past events. Instead of "the tree is damaged by lightning", use "the tree was damaged by lightning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damaged by lightning" acts as a passive construction, indicating that something has received damage as a result of a lightning strike. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is a usable construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damaged by lightning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to describe the state of something that has been harmed by a lightning strike. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its frequency is classified as uncommon, appearing mainly in news reports, scientific articles, and general descriptions. When writing, be mindful of using the correct tense and consider specifying the nature of the damage for greater clarity. Related phrases include "struck by lightning and harmed" or "lightning-induced damage". While the phrase can fit in various contexts, it maintains a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained lightning damage

This phrase suggests that the object has received damage from lightning.

struck by lightning and harmed

This alternative emphasizes the direct impact of lightning as the cause of harm.

damaged in a lightning storm

This phrase provides additional context by specifying it happened in a storm.

lightning-induced damage

This is a more concise, technical term for damage resulting from lightning.

impacted by lightning

This alternative highlights the direct effect of the lightning.

affected by a lightning strike

This phrase focuses on the impact of a lightning strike rather than the resulting damage.

lightning has impaired

This phrase is a verb that shows the object's functionality has been impaired.

lightning-related impairment

This uses a more formal word, "impairment", to suggest damage or reduction in functionality.

ruined by lightning

This phrase implies a more extreme degree of damage.

harmed due to lightning

This alternative emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between lightning and harm.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "damaged by lightning"?

When something is described as "damaged by lightning", it means it has suffered harm or impairment as a result of being struck by lightning. The extent of the damage can vary from minor to severe.

What are some alternatives to saying "damaged by lightning"?

You can use alternatives like "struck by lightning", "lightning-induced damage", or "affected by a lightning strike" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "damage caused by lightning" instead of "damaged by lightning"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Damage caused by lightning" emphasizes the cause of the damage, while "damaged by lightning" focuses on the state of the object.

What kind of objects can be "damaged by lightning"?

Many things can be "damaged by lightning", including trees, buildings, electrical equipment, and even aircraft. The type and extent of the damage will depend on the intensity of the lightning strike and the object's composition.