dammit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dammit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal interjection that expresses anger, frustration, or surprise, and can be used as a substitute for a mild oath. Example: "Dammit, I forgot to feed the dog this morning!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We Love You, Oprah!" bumper-stickers began to outnumber the ruder ones.In this section Virtually back In a glass, darkly So near and yet so far, dammit The tempting of John Kerry No beef with Oprah Saigon à l'Orange The disappointment of Dick Armey ReprintsPaul Engler, the most influential of the cattlemen plaintiffs, could only pull down his Stetson and grimace.

The Economist

But its efforts could not muffle the bang made by a non-binding shareholder vote against a ludicrous compensation scheme for Vikram Pandit, its chief executive.In this section The not-for-profit sector A new kind of outrage Beware Teutonic caution Stuck in the middle Conscience v commerce Weaken, dammit!

The Economist

There is no reason why both places should recycle the same proportion.In this section How to get rid of rubbish Crash, dammit South-East Asia in denial The next nuclear revolution Italy's back A hard choice for Mr Blair Reprints Related items America's recyclers: A funny sort of marketOct 16th 1997For Americans there is a political question too.

The Economist

And they find that allowing people to name their own price may result in fewer sales than the old-fashioned approach of simply setting a single price for everybody.In this section The not-for-profit sector A new kind of outrage Beware Teutonic caution Stuck in the middle Conscience v commerce Weaken, dammit!

The Economist

Anderson's economists are bullish about the future, too, predicting that the number of jobs will grow by 2.5% a year, on average, until at least 2002.In this section Virtually back In a glass, darkly So near and yet so far, dammit The tempting of John Kerry No beef with Oprah Saigon à l'Orange The disappointment of Dick Armey ReprintsMost of this growth has been in services.

The Economist

People and businesses respond a tax on carrots, say, reduces carrot consumption and these responses distort the economy and may reduce its potential growth rate.In this section The not-for-profit sector A new kind of outrage Beware Teutonic caution Stuck in the middle Conscience v commerce Weaken, dammit!

The Economist

Private estimates range much higher, and suggest that 20-30% may be non-performing.In this section The not-for-profit sector A new kind of outrage Beware Teutonic caution Stuck in the middle Conscience v commerce Weaken, dammit!

The Economist

But the genteel rebellion over executive pay at the Barclays shareholders' meeting in London last month, an echo of similar disquiet at annual meetings in America (see article), shows how fed up bank investors have become with their returns.In this section The not-for-profit sector A new kind of outrage Beware Teutonic caution Stuck in the middle Conscience v commerce Weaken, dammit!

The Economist

As encouragement, they offer tax breaks to those who put money aside to fund their retirement.In this section The not-for-profit sector A new kind of outrage Beware Teutonic caution Stuck in the middle Conscience v commerce Weaken, dammit!

The Economist

In other words, this is the way it is, dammit.

The Economist

The Berlin Wall came down all right and the cold war ended, but the money needed to keep the group airborne ran out and, dammit, "new tensions" started to arise in the world.Related items George HarrisonDec 6th 2001If only the maharishi had had the necessary funds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dammit" sparingly, as it can come across as unprofessional in formal settings. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dammit" in professional emails, academic papers, or formal presentations. Its informal nature can detract from your credibility and make your communication seem less serious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dammit" is that of an interjection. It expresses a sudden emotion, typically frustration, anger, or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating its common usage in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dammit" functions primarily as an interjection expressing frustration or disappointment. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's grammatically correct but leans toward informal use. While found in News & Media, it should be avoided in formal or academic writing. Alternatives such as "damn it" or milder options like ""blast it"" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Be mindful of your audience and the desired tone when using "dammit", as overuse or inappropriate use can detract from your message. It's a common expression, but not universally acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Damn it

A more direct and slightly stronger variation of the original phrase.

Blast it

A milder, more old-fashioned expression of frustration.

What the heck

A slightly stronger, but still relatively mild, expression of surprise or frustration.

Crap

A less offensive interjection expressing mild annoyance.

Darn it

A somewhat childish expression of frustration.

Shoot

A very mild expression of frustration or disappointment.

Confound it

An archaic and somewhat humorous expression of annoyance.

Oh no

A general expression of dismay or concern.

Good heavens

A very mild expression of surprise or dismay, often used humorously.

That's annoying

A more descriptive and less interjective way of expressing frustration.

FAQs

How can I use "dammit" in a sentence?

"Dammit" is usually used as an interjection to express frustration or disappointment. For example: "Dammit, I spilled my coffee!"

What's a less offensive alternative to "dammit"?

If you're looking for a milder alternative, consider using phrases like "blast it", "crap", or "shoot".

Is it appropriate to use "dammit" in professional writing?

Generally, it's best to avoid using "dammit" in professional contexts due to its informal and potentially offensive nature. Choose a more neutral expression.

What's the difference between "damn" and "dammit"?

"Damn" can function as an adjective, verb, or interjection, while "dammit" is primarily an interjection. "Dammit" typically expresses more immediate frustration.