damages over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "damages over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the gradual accumulation of harm or deterioration that occurs as time passes. Example: "The constant exposure to sunlight can lead to damages over time, affecting the integrity of the materials used in construction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Construction and Building Materials

Advances in Water Resources

BMC Plant Biology

The New York Times - Tech

The New York Times

The Guardian

The New York Times - Science

Independent

Forbes

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The LMDC developed a chemo mechanical micromodel which predicts concrete expansions and damages over time.

Construction and Building Materials

Bayes' theorem is used to update peak flow probabilities conditioned on observed past peak flows and to update expected residual flood damages over time.

Advances in Water Resources

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This test also takes into account the progress during the recovery period, with some accessions maintaining a steady condition, and others tending to show more or less damage over time.

BMC Plant Biology

Finger oils cause damage over time, and the site has to be preserved for the ages.

The New York Times - Tech

Having a substantially lower credit rating than rivals, however, could do much wider damage over time.

The New York Times

One is that DNA gets damaged over time, either by biological or technological copying, hampering the cloning process.

The Guardian

Some of them cause itching, redness and inflammation; others contain potent steroids that can cause serious damage over time.

The New York Times - Science

Thinning hair and the onset of baldness is the result of follicle-creating stem cells becoming damaged over time, a study has found.

Independent

Some types of ash do not cause an engine to malfunction immediately but still cause corrosion damage over time; so testing and maintenance are important, he noted.

The New York Times

It makes me feel affluent to call for a limo, although the word "limousine" seems to have suffered some damage over time, as have most of the vehicles so described.

The New York Times

Those with narcissistic traits may be more capable of considering others as discrete people, and it is this tendency to overreact to criticism that causes the damage over time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the long-term impact of something, use "damages over time" to emphasize the gradual and cumulative nature of the harm. For example, "The effects of climate change can lead to significant 'damages over time' to coastal ecosystems."

Common error

While "damages over time" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise terms like "long-term degradation" or "cumulative deterioration" when greater specificity is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damages over time" functions as a noun phrase that describes a process of gradual deterioration or cumulative harm. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable. It is used to quantify the extent of impairment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damages over time" is a grammatically correct and usable expression describing the gradual accumulation of harm, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds application across diverse fields like science, news, and formal writing. Semantically similar alternatives include "gradual deterioration" and "cumulative harm". It's crucial to consider the formality of the context, favoring more precise terms in highly technical settings. Use "damages over time" to underscore the prolonged and cumulative nature of negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradual deterioration

Focuses on the process of something becoming worse slowly.

cumulative harm

Emphasizes the accumulating negative effects.

long-term degradation

Highlights the extended period of decline.

progressive deterioration

Similar to gradual deterioration, but may suggest a more consistent rate of decline.

wear and tear over the years

Implies damage resulting from normal use and aging.

effects of aging

Highlights the impact of the aging process.

increasingly negative impacts

Highlights the negative results increasing.

deterioration with age

Focuses specifically on how age contributes to the decay.

time-related damage

A more direct reference to the impact of time.

aging effects

General term for aging.

FAQs

How can I use "damages over time" in a sentence?

You can use "damages over time" to describe the gradual accumulation of harm or deterioration. For example, "Exposure to UV radiation can cause 'damages over time' to the skin."

What are some alternatives to "damages over time"?

Some alternatives include "gradual deterioration", "cumulative harm", or "long-term degradation", depending on the specific context.

Is "damages over time" formal or informal?

"Damages over time" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from more specific alternatives.

What kind of "damage" is implied by "damages over time"?

The "damage" can be physical, structural, environmental, or even abstract, such as reputational. The phrase emphasizes that the harm accumulates or becomes apparent gradually.