extensive damage

USAGE SUMMARY

'extensive damage' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the level of damage done to something, such as a natural disaster, an accident, or a large-scale attack. For example, "The hurricane caused extensive damage to the coastline of the small island."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No extensive damage was found.

The New York Times - Sports

The home suffered extensive damage.

The New York Times

Despite extensive damage, no deaths resulted.

The Economist

Extensive damage is visible from the front.

The New York Times

"Like any Category 4, it is capable of extensive damage.

The New York Times

Later rioting breaks out in Tottenham, causing extensive damage.

The Guardian

The fire caused extensive damage, but no one was hurt.

The New York Times

Extensive damage was caused to the installations of the port.

The Guardian - Arts

A neuropathologist soon discovered extensive damage in Waters's brain tissue.

The New York Times - Sports

There was extensive damage from airstrikes and artillery barrages.

The New York Times

It suffered extensive damage in World War II.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extensive damage", specify the affected area or object to provide context and clarity. For example, "The storm caused extensive damage to the coastal region."

Common error

Avoid using "extensive damage" without specifying the type or scale of the damage. Provide concrete details to enhance the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive damage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "extensive" modifies the noun "damage". It describes the degree or scope of harm inflicted on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extensive damage" is a common and correct phrase used to describe a significant degree of harm or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. Its frequency in news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles suggests a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure you provide specific details about what sustained the damage for clarity. Alternatives include "widespread destruction" and "severe devastation", which offer nuanced ways to convey the impact. Remember to avoid vagueness by detailing the nature and scale of the harm described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread destruction

Emphasizes the geographical scope of the damage.

severe devastation

Highlights the intensity and completeness of the damage.

considerable impairment

Focuses on the functional reduction or harm caused.

significant harm

A more general term indicating a notable degree of damage.

substantial ruin

Emphasizes the state of decay or collapse resulting from the damage.

major destruction

Highlights the scale and importance of what was destroyed.

serious impairment

Indicates a notable reduction in functionality or condition.

heavy toll

Implies a high cost or impact due to the damage.

grave impairment

Highlights the seriousness and potential long-term effects of the damage.

immense wreckage

Focuses on the state of scattered remains after a damaging event.

FAQs

How to use "extensive damage" in a sentence?

You can use "extensive damage" to describe significant harm or destruction caused by an event or force. For example, "The fire caused "extensive damage" to the building" or "The flood resulted in "extensive damage" to the crops".

What can I say instead of "extensive damage"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread destruction", "severe devastation", or "considerable impairment" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "extensive damage" and "minor damage"?

"Extensive damage" indicates a significant level of harm or destruction, while "minor damage" suggests only slight or superficial harm. The choice depends on the degree of impact.

Is it correct to say "extensive damages"?

While "extensive damage" refers to the physical harm, "extensive damages" typically refers to monetary compensation awarded in a legal context to cover the losses resulting from harm or breach of contract.