external damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "external damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe harm or injury that occurs on the outside of an object or system, often in contexts like insurance, engineering, or product descriptions. Example: "The car sustained external damage after the accident, including dents and scratches on the body."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

There was also external damage.

The Guardian

The Astute-class vessel suffered "some external damage" but no crew members were injured in the incident.

The Guardian

The submarine suffered some external damage but there is absolutely no damage to her nuclear plant and no member of the ship's company was injured in the incident.

The Guardian

Imagine hearing about total gross external damage as well as gross domestic product on the evening news.

The New York Times

The person familiar with the Houston operation said that the videos showed there was no evidence of external damage to the blowout preventer from the accident.

The New York Times

It also establishes a framework for measuring gross external damage, which should be subtracted from measures of value added to arrive at a measure of net value added.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The proposed approach is demonstrated with a hatch cover design selection problem since it has utmost importance in structure of bulk carrier ships to prevent water ingress and protect cargo form the external damages.

Ocean Engineering

This research studied the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the internal and external damages of foam-core sandwich panels with kevlar fiber reinforced epoxy face sheets subjected to a low-velocity impact.

Composites Part B: Engineering

However, temperature has a strong effect on the internal and external damages caused to the plate, as it increases the permanent indentation and it limits the projected delaminated area.

Composite Structures

One of the important points of ETS is to give a price for carbon emissions and establish a cost pass-through mechanism (reminded that the essential of carbon pricing is to put a price on carbon emissions that is equal to discounted value of the external damages).

Energy Policy

The National Academy of Scientists recently totaled costs of coal at more than $62 billion (in California and nationwide tax dollars) in "external damages" to our health and lives.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting or reporting on incidents involving physical objects, specify the nature and extent of the "external damage" to provide a clear understanding of the impact. For example, "The vehicle sustained significant external damage, including a shattered windshield and dented panels."

Common error

Avoid using "external damage" when referring to issues that originate within an object or system. "External damage" specifically describes harm caused by outside forces. Use terms like 'malfunction', 'defect', or 'internal failure' when the problem stems from within.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external damage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a direct object or subject complement. According to Ludwig, it describes the state of being harmed or impaired on the outer surface of an object or system. For example, 'The car suffered only minor, external damage.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "external damage" is a grammatically sound and widely used term to describe harm to the outer surface of an object or system. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. The phrase is prevalent in scientific, news, and general informational sources. When using "external damage", it's important to distinguish it from internal issues and provide specific details about the nature and extent of the damage. Alternative phrases like "surface damage" or "outer damage" can be used depending on the specific context. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC frequently employ this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surface impairment

Focuses specifically on damage affecting the outer layer or surface.

outer blemishes

Emphasizes the visible imperfections or marks on the exterior.

superficial harm

Highlights the fact that the damage is not deep or severe.

visible degradation

Focuses on the process of decline or deterioration that is observable.

physical defacement

Emphasizes the alteration or disfigurement of the external appearance.

exterior compromise

Highlights that the structural integrity of the outside has been affected.

outside deterioration

Focuses on the worsening condition of the exterior over time.

apparent disfigurement

Emphasizes that the damage is easily noticeable.

cosmetic blemish

Highlights that the damage is primarily aesthetic and doesn't affect functionality.

surface-level marring

Specific to marking and scratching on the surface.

FAQs

How can I describe "external damage" in simpler terms?

You could use phrases like "surface damage", "visible damage", or "outer damage" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "external damage" in formal writing?

Yes, "external damage" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in technical, scientific, or legal contexts where precise language is important. However, consider using synonyms if the tone needs to be less technical.

What's the difference between "external damage" and "internal damage"?

"External damage" refers to harm caused to the outside of something, while "internal damage" refers to harm within the structure or system. For example, a dent on a car is "external damage", while a broken engine part is "internal damage".

In what situations is it crucial to document "external damage"?

Documenting "external damage" is crucial in insurance claims, accident reports, product inspections, and construction assessments. Accurate records can help determine the cause of damage and assign responsibility.