have damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been harmed or impaired in the past and may still have effects in the present. Example: "The recent storm has damaged several homes in the neighborhood, leaving many families in need of assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They have damaged Switzerland's image".

The New York Times

That might have damaged growth.

Independent

Nearly 45 million Americans have damaged credit.

The New York Times

Both have damaged their reputations.

The Guardian - Opinion

We may have damaged Iraq beyond repair.

The New York Times

That decision may have damaged the party.

The Guardian

It may not have damaged her personally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Years in detention have damaged many.

The Guardian

Mudslides have damaged the precarious road system.

The Guardian

Hype and hubris have damaged Interstellar.

The Guardian - Film

Every little helps We have damaged this planet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have damaged", consider the specific type and extent of the damage. Choose synonyms like "harmed", "impaired", or "undermined" to more precisely convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "the project has been damaged". Instead, clarify how it was damaged, such as "the project has been delayed due to budget cuts" or "the project's reputation has been damaged by negative publicity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have damaged" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It describes an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for expressing completed actions with ongoing effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have damaged" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase in the present perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms it's correctness and usability. It serves to describe the lasting effects of a past action or event, most commonly in News & Media contexts. For more precise writing, consider synonyms like "have harmed" or "have impaired" to refine the meaning. Be specific about the nature of the damage to enhance clarity and impact. The phrase appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, highlighting its prevalence in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have harmed

Replaces "damaged" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of causing harm.

have impaired

Suggests a weakening or diminishing effect, rather than outright damage.

have injured

Implies a more direct, often physical, form of harm.

have compromised

Indicates a weakening of integrity or effectiveness.

have undermined

Suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation.

have negatively impacted

A more formal and general way to express a harmful effect.

have taken a toll on

Emphasizes the cumulative effect of damage or stress.

have wreaked havoc on

Conveys a sense of widespread destruction and disorder.

have left their mark on

Suggests a lasting, often negative, impact.

have taken its toll

Emphasizes the cumulative effect of damage or stress.

FAQs

How to use "have damaged" in a sentence?

Use "have damaged" to indicate that something has been harmed or impaired in the past and may still have effects in the present. For example, "The recent storm "have damaged" several homes in the neighborhood".

What can I say instead of "have damaged"?

You can use alternatives like "have harmed", "have impaired", or "have undermined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have damaged" or "has damaged"?

"Have damaged" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "have damaged" the property"), while "has damaged" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He "has damaged" the property").

What's the difference between "have damaged" and "damaged"?

"Have damaged" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that has present consequences. "Damaged" can be the simple past tense (e.g., "They damaged the car yesterday") or an adjective (e.g., "The car was damaged").