have been damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has experienced harm or deterioration over a period of time, often in a passive construction. Example: "The documents have been damaged due to water exposure and are no longer legible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Reputations have been damaged.

The New York Times - Magazine

All have been damaged.

The Guardian

At a higher speed, more may have been damaged.

The New York Times

"It would focus on facilities that have been damaged.

The New York Times

All have been damaged, many almost beyond recognition.

The Guardian - Arts

Palaces in Kathmandu have been damaged and cracked.

The Guardian

Philippines-American relations have been damaged, of course.

The Guardian

At least fifty to sixty homes have been damaged.

The New Yorker

It is only selective facilities that have been damaged.

The New Yorker

At least 700 buildings in the county have been damaged.

The Guardian - Music

We thought it might have been damaged by a shell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been damaged", clearly specify what caused the damage if it's relevant to the context. This provides a more complete picture and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been damage" instead of "have been damaged". The latter uses the correct past participle form of the verb "damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been damaged" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that something has undergone harm or deterioration, with the action completed at some point in the past and the result still relevant in the present. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been damaged" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to express that something has undergone harm or deterioration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, reflecting its neutral register and versatile application. Remember to use the correct past participle "damaged" and specify the cause of the damage for clarity. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "have suffered damage" or "have incurred damage" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have suffered damage

Focuses on the experience of undergoing damage.

have incurred damage

Implies damage as a result of an action or event.

have sustained damage

Highlights the enduring nature of the damage.

have become impaired

Suggests a reduction in functionality or quality.

have deteriorated

Emphasizes a gradual decline or decay.

have been harmed

Broadly indicates that something has been negatively affected.

have been impaired

Suggests a reduction in functionality or quality.

have fallen into disrepair

Specifically refers to a state of neglect and deterioration, often for buildings or infrastructure.

are in a state of disrepair

Highlights the current state of being damaged or neglected.

show signs of wear and tear

Indicates damage from normal usage over time.

FAQs

How can I use "have been damaged" in a sentence?

Use "have been damaged" to indicate that something experienced harm or deterioration. For example, "The crops "have been damaged" by the storm."

What are some alternatives to "have been damaged"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "have suffered damage", "have incurred damage", or "have deteriorated" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "have been damage" instead of "have been damaged"?

No, "have been damage" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""have been damaged"", using the past participle of "damage".

What is the difference between "have been damaged" and "were damaged"?

"Have been damaged" implies a state resulting from a past action that continues to be relevant, while "were damaged" simply indicates that the damage occurred in the past without necessarily implying a continuing state.