do damage

USAGE SUMMARY

'do damage' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the harmful effects that someone or something causes to something else. For example: "The storm did significant damage to the crop fields."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Damaged people do damage.

Huffington Post

Also, we do damage".

The Guardian - Books

Mentally, they do damage.

The New York Times

We can really do damage.

The New York Times

But they still do damage.

The Economist

Can we do damage control?

The New Yorker

Alcohol can always do damage.

Harvard University

She does not do damage.

The New York Times

They want us to do damage control".

The New York Times

We can only do damage to them.

The Guardian - Sport

"And that could do damage," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do damage", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being harmed and what is causing the harm. For example, "The flood did damage to the crops."

Common error

Avoid using "do damage" with weak or redundant verbs. Instead of saying "The scandal did significant damage to his reputation," consider a stronger verb: "The scandal significantly damaged his reputation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do damage" functions as a verb phrase, where "do" acts as a light verb and "damage" is the noun representing the harm caused. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes the action of causing harm or destruction. This is evident in examples such as "Alcohol can always do damage."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do damage" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of causing harm or destruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to highlight negative impacts across a wide range of contexts, from news reports and academic discussions to everyday conversations. While its register is generally neutral, the phrase's frequency and clear meaning make it a versatile and effective choice for expressing the idea of causing harm. Consider alternatives like "cause harm" or "inflict injury" for slight variations in emphasis, but be confident in the appropriateness of using "do damage" in most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause harm

Replaces "damage" with "harm", a more general term for negative effects.

cause destruction

Highlights the destructive aspect of the action.

have a detrimental effect

Focuses on the negative consequences or impact of something.

inflict injury

Emphasizes the act of causing physical or emotional harm.

have negative repercussions

Focuses on the unintended and adverse consequences of an action.

wreak havoc

Similar to "create havoc", but with a stronger connotation of malicious intent or destructive force.

create havoc

Suggests widespread disruption and chaos as a result of the action.

exact a toll

Implies a heavy cost or burden resulting from the damage.

leave a mark

Indicates a lasting negative impact or consequence.

impair

Signifies to weaken or damage something.

FAQs

How can I use "do damage" in a sentence?

You can use "do damage" to describe the act of causing harm or destruction. For example, "The hurricane did extensive damage to the coastline."

What are some alternatives to "do damage"?

Alternatives include "cause harm", "inflict injury", or "cause destruction", depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "do damage" or "cause damage"?

"Do damage" and "cause damage" are largely interchangeable, though "cause damage" might be perceived as slightly more formal. Both are grammatically correct and widely used.

What's the difference between "do damage" and "have a detrimental effect"?

"Do damage" is a more direct way of saying something causes harm or destruction. "Have a detrimental effect" ("have a detrimental effect") focuses more on the negative consequences or impact rather than the action of causing damage itself.