damn

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "damn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express frustration, annoyance, or emphasis in informal contexts. Example: "I can't believe I missed the bus again, damn it!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You lost, stop being so damn jealous and move forward".

The Guardian

"Damn," she said.

The Guardian - Film

Lowe, unaware of the storm about to break above his head, reportedly turned to a friend and said "Damn!

The Guardian - Film

Gary Oldman is a hero and she is desperate to work with Anthony Hopkins because he doesn't seem to, 'give a damn' about all that Hollywood stuff.

The Guardian - Film

No politician has done more to disempower the National Security Agency than Paul, whose likes to tell audiences on the campaign trail that what they do on their cell phone is "none of the government's damn business".

The Guardian

Like the man on the couch in the New Yorker cartoon, he seems to believe that his personal life is none of his own damn business.

The Guardian

How do you cope in this damn heat!

The Guardian

"When Huey changed his title from defence minister to the ridiculous-sounding "Supreme Commander", and then to the even more ridiculous "Supreme Servant", damn near nobody said a word.

The Guardian - Books

Of course, if Quinn and his colleagues gave a damn about the reality of the situation, they would have found their protestations on the suitability of same-sex parents to be utterly misplaced.

The Guardian

O Brother, Where Art Thou? "Damn, we're in a tight spot!" The Coen brothers' 2000 comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a sepia-tinted satire loosely based on Homer's Odyssey, was set in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression.

The Guardian

15 Stillwater; Venus In Furs; the Wonders; Marvin Berry And The Starlighters? 1 Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn (Gone With The Wind). 2 Cricklewood.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "damn" sparingly in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it is often considered informal and can be inappropriate in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "damn" excessively in your writing, as it can weaken the impact and make your tone seem overly aggressive or unprofessional. Choose more precise adjectives or adverbs to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "damn" functions primarily as an interjection expressing strong emotion, such as anger, frustration, or surprise. It can also act as an adjective or adverb to intensify the meaning of other words. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Film

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "damn" is a versatile term that can function as an interjection, adjective, adverb, verb, or noun, primarily used to express strong emotions or emphasis. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct but carries an informal register. While frequently found in News & Media, Film, and Sport contexts, its use should be limited in formal writing to avoid potential offense. For milder expressions, consider alternatives like "darn" or "shoot".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shit

A stronger, more vulgar term expressing frustration or anger.

darn

A milder, more socially acceptable substitute for "damn".

bloody hell

A British expression of annoyance or surprise.

blast

Another euphemism, often used to express mild annoyance or frustration.

what the heck

An expression of confusion, annoyance, or resignation.

for crying out loud

An exclamation of frustration or exasperation.

shoot

A less offensive alternative, suitable for polite company.

oh my god

An exclamation of surprise, shock, or frustration.

heck

A very mild expression of surprise or annoyance.

good heavens

An exclamation of surprise or shock, often used humorously.

FAQs

How can I use "damn" in a sentence?

You can use "damn" as an adjective (e.g., "That's a "damn" shame!"), a verb (e.g., "I "damn" you!"), a noun (e.g., "I don't give a "damn""), an adverb (e.g., "That was "damn" good!"), or an interjection (e.g., "Damn!").

What can I say instead of "damn"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "darn", "blast", "shoot", or more forceful terms like "shit".

Is it appropriate to use "damn" in formal writing?

Generally, no. "Damn" is considered informal and can be perceived as offensive in formal or professional contexts. Opt for more neutral or precise language.

What is the difference between "damn" and "damned"?

"Damn" is often used as an interjection or adjective, while "damned" is more commonly used as an adjective or part of a verb phrase to indicate condemnation or something unpleasant. For example, "That's a "damn" shame," versus "He is "damned" if he does and "damned" if he doesn't".