greatly damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

"greatly damaged" is an appropriate usage in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been extensively or irreparably harmed. For example: "The city's infrastructure was greatly damaged after the hurricane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plebiscite greatly damaged the regime's legitimacy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Microsoft founder said their prospects would be "greatly damaged if we don't solve malnutrition".

The Guardian

The hospital is greatly damaged and this is not the first time.

The Washington Post

Greatly damaged during the war, Gdańsk was returned to Poland in March 1945.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In urbanized areas, small streams can be greatly damaged by urban inflows and combined sewer overflows.

Science of The Total Environment

The Confederate forces won the battle, but the loss of Gen. Jackson greatly damaged their war efforts.

The New York Times

He also said he was "very disappointed" by Volkswagen, adding the EIB's relationship with the carmaker would be greatly damaged by the scandal.

The Guardian - Business

"As a result, plaintiff's investment and reputation in the business community have been greatly damaged," Mr. Talansky argued in the initial complaint.

The New York Times

Liam Fox, the Consevative former defence secretary, said the credibility of the international community would be "greatly damaged" if it did not take action.

The Guardian

I believe that if we do not take action, and it will probably mean military action, then the credibility of the international community will be greatly damaged.

The Guardian

The Giants are 6-5, and their playoff hopes would be greatly damaged by another loss, particularly with games still remaining against Indianapolis and Philadelphia.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider specifying which aspect suffered damage. E.g., instead of "The car was greatly damaged," specify: "The engine of the car was greatly damaged."

Common error

Avoid using "greatly damaged" as a generic descriptor. Always provide details on what specific parts or aspects were damaged and how the damage manifests itself. For instance, instead of just stating "The storm greatly damaged the town", elaborate with details like "The storm greatly damaged the town, flooding homes and destroying infrastructure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly damaged" functions as a descriptive term, indicating that something has undergone substantial harm or impairment. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts like describing war damage or damage to reputation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

15%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greatly damaged" is a versatile and widely used descriptor indicating substantial harm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and scientific sources. When using it, clarity and specificity are key to conveying the extent and nature of the damage. While alternatives like "severely impaired" or "significantly harmed" exist, they offer slightly different nuances. The consistent usage and broad applicability of "greatly damaged" across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and effectiveness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreparably harmed

Underscores the permanence of the damage, suggesting that it cannot be fixed or reversed.

significantly harmed

Highlights the negative consequences of the damage, particularly on well-being or value.

seriously compromised

Focuses on the weakening or undermining of something's integrity or functionality.

severely impaired

Focuses more on the functional aspect of the damage, implying reduced capability.

substantially impaired

Similar to "severely impaired" but with a stronger emphasis on the material or measurable impact.

heavily impacted

Emphasizes the force or influence causing the damage, rather than the damage itself.

extensively affected

Broadens the scope of impact, suggesting a widespread influence or consequence.

devastatingly affected

Highlights the emotional or catastrophic nature of the damage, emphasizing its overwhelming impact.

critically wounded

Implies a more acute and immediate form of damage, often with life-threatening implications.

badly injured

Focuses on physical harm or wounding, often applicable to living beings or structures.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly damaged" in a sentence?

You can use "greatly damaged" to describe something that has sustained significant harm or impairment. For example, "The earthquake "greatly damaged" the city's infrastructure."

What are some alternatives to saying "greatly damaged"?

Alternatives include "severely impaired", "significantly harmed", or "irreparably harmed", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "greatly damaged" and "slightly damaged"?

"Greatly damaged" indicates substantial harm, while "slightly damaged" suggests only minor impairment. The choice depends on the extent of the damage you want to describe.

What kind of things can be "greatly damaged"?

A wide range of things can be "greatly damaged", including physical objects like buildings or vehicles, as well as abstract concepts like reputations or relationships. The phrase is versatile and applicable across many contexts.