damn thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "damn thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used informally to express frustration or emphasis regarding an object or situation. Example: "I can't believe I lost that damn thing again!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not a damn thing.

The New Yorker

"You drink the damn thing".

The New York Times

"I hate the damn thing".

The New Yorker

"Otherwise I'll shut the damn thing off".

The New Yorker

But every damn thing matters!

The New York Times - Books

"Bring the damn thing back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Oh, bother, the damn thing.

The New Yorker

That's the whole damn thing.

The Guardian

They'll say any damn thing.

The New Yorker

They're the same damn thing".

The Guardian - Books

I can see the damn thing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "damn thing" sparingly and be mindful of your audience. While it can add emphasis and express frustration, it's generally considered informal and may not be appropriate in formal or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "damn thing" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. Opt for more neutral and precise language to maintain a professional tone. For example, use "the malfunctioning device" instead of "that damn thing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damn thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a sentence or a subject complement. It expresses frustration, annoyance, or contempt towards the object or situation it refers to. Ludwig examples demonstrate this across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3.33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1.67%

Reference

1.67%

Social Media

3.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damn thing" is a common expression used to convey frustration or annoyance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in informal contexts. While versatile, its use should be carefully considered in formal settings. Alternatives such as "blasted thing" or "annoying thing" may be more appropriate depending on the audience and purpose. With a high source quality score of 89 and presence across numerous authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, understanding its nuances is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that blasted thing

Replaces "damn" with "blasted", softening the profanity while maintaining a negative connotation.

that wretched item

Employs "wretched" to express a strong dislike or annoyance, replacing "damn".

that cursed object

Substitutes "thing" with "object" and "damn" with "cursed", intensifying the negative feeling.

that infernal contraption

Uses a more elaborate and somewhat humorous term for "thing" while keeping a negative tone.

that troublesome item

Replaces "thing" with "item" which indicates an object, and replaces "damn" with "troublesome", emphasizing a sense of complication.

that confounded device

Replaces "thing" with "device" and "damn" with "confounded", indicating frustration with its operation or purpose.

that frustrating issue

Substitutes a general item with "issue", that better reflects the reason for frustration.

that pesky gadget

Offers a milder, more playful expression of annoyance, suitable for less formal situations.

that irritating piece

Uses "piece" as a substitute for "thing" and replaces "damn" with "irritating", emphasizing a sense of bother.

that annoying bit

Replaces "thing" with "bit" which indicates a smaller element, and replaces "damn" with "annoying".

FAQs

How can I use "damn thing" in a sentence?

You can use "damn thing" to express frustration or annoyance about an object or situation. For example: "I can't believe I lost that "damn thing" again!" or "This "damn thing" never works when I need it."

What can I say instead of "damn thing"?

You can use alternatives like "blasted thing", "cursed object", or "annoying thing" depending on the context and level of formality.

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

No, "damn thing" is generally considered informal and is not appropriate for formal writing. Use more neutral and precise language in academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "damn thing" and "sodding thing"?

"Damn thing" and "sodding thing" are similar expressions used to express annoyance or frustration. "Sodding thing" is more commonly used in British English, while "damn thing" is more prevalent in American English.