gravely damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been severely harmed or impaired, often in a serious or critical context. Example: "The building was gravely damaged in the earthquake, leaving it unsafe for occupancy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Worse, his reputation was gravely damaged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many are, and most are therefore gravely damaged.

The Economist

The Deepwater Horizon accident has gravely damaged BP's reputation.

The New York Times

But America's own strategic interests have also been gravely damaged.

The New York Times

The episode gravely damaged Israel's relations with Turkey, its once-close Muslim ally.

The New York Times

Ukraine's behaviour has certainly caused anger, but Russia has gravely damaged its credibility.Pipes and whistlesNot everybody has been converted.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Such claims would gravely damage the interests of the international community, said a Chinese spokesman.

The Economist

Its ham-handed behavior is also gravely damaging the entire concept of executive privilege.

The New York Times

He duly resigned his committee post, at least temporarily.These scandals, though fairly trifling in themselves, could be gravely damaging.

The Economist

Mr. Tenet decided that the C.I.A.'s legal position in the case -- which was that revealing the sum would gravely damage American national security -- was indefensible.

The New York Times

The government today defended its use of secret evidence against a Muslim charity accused of helping terrorists, arguing that detailing its case could gravely damage national security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely damaged" to emphasize the severity and seriousness of the damage. Reserve this phrase for situations where the harm is substantial and has significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely damaged" when describing minor or superficial damage. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Consider using lighter alternatives like "slightly harmed" or "somewhat affected" for less severe cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely damaged" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "gravely" modifies the verb "damaged". It emphasizes the serious and significant extent of the damage. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gravely damaged" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something severely harmed or impaired. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for situations where the harm is significant. Alternatives include "severely harmed" and "seriously impaired". Avoid overuse in minor situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely harmed

Replaces "damaged" with "harmed", emphasizing the negative impact.

seriously impaired

Uses "impaired" instead of "damaged", suggesting a reduction in functionality or ability.

badly affected

Emphasizes the negative consequence or influence.

critically wounded

Implies a state of being severely hurt or injured, often physically.

irreparably harmed

Suggests the damage is permanent and cannot be fixed.

substantially weakened

Focuses on the reduction in strength or power as a result of the damage.

deeply affected

Highlights the profound impact of the damage.

ruinously impacted

Implies a devastating and destructive impact.

fatally compromised

Suggests the damage leads to failure or demise.

suffer extensive damage

Replaces the adjective "gravely" with the adjective "extensive" and rephrases the whole sentence.

FAQs

How to use "gravely damaged" in a sentence?

Use "gravely damaged" to describe something that has been severely harmed or impaired. For example, "The storm gravely damaged the coastal town" or "The scandal gravely damaged his reputation."

What can I say instead of "gravely damaged"?

You can use alternatives like "severely harmed", "seriously impaired", or "badly affected" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "gravely damaged" or "severely damaged"?

Both "gravely damaged" and "severely damaged" are correct and can often be used interchangeably. "Gravely" suggests a more profound and serious level of damage than "severely".

What's the difference between "gravely damaged" and "slightly damaged"?

"Gravely damaged" indicates significant and serious harm, while "slightly damaged" suggests minor or superficial harm. The choice depends on the extent of the damage you want to convey.