inadvertent damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inadvertent damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unintentional harm or injury caused to something, often in contexts related to property or equipment. Example: "The contractor was held responsible for the inadvertent damage caused to the client's property during the renovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Transurethral prostate resection may be complicated by inadvertent damage to the urinary sphincter, bladder neck and trigone.

The Journal of Urology

But local police officers and firefighters familiar with the project protectively guarded the half-finished memorial from inadvertent damage or dismantling.

The New York Times - Arts

All present were enjoying the movie; all should help cover the inadvertent damage, not as an obligation — they have none — but from liberality of spirit among friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If you hire three heavies," she remarked on days when she felt ghastly, "to whack and kick and pummel at the bores, you've got to expect that in their enthusiasm they will inflict a bit of inadvertent damage, too".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Unless Roe v. Wade is overturned, politics will never get better," the Times columnist David Brooks has written, insisting, "Justice Harry Blackmun did more inadvertent damage to our democracy than any other 20th-century American.

The New Yorker

Hence even if the Syrians try not to shell Turkish territory, they are quite likely to cause inadvertent damage, potentially killing Turkish citizens — as happened on Oct. 3, when Syrian artillery landed in Akcakale, a Turkish border town.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Inadvertent emotional damage is the novel's other major theme.

The Guardian - Books

We hypothesized that given a well-illuminated magnified view by laparoscopy, the autonomic nerves can be well protected from inadvertent surgical damage.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Hence, rightward shift in the ECG axis is most likely because of inadvertent collateral damage to the LPF, particularly when ablation is delivered more basally.

Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology

However, inadvertent surgical damage due to poor visibility of nerves in comparison to surrounding tissue, or simply the unfortunate necessity due to proximity of the nerve to target structures remains a risk.

Biomedical Optics Express

The selective preservation of epithelium in our technique may help to minimize the risk of excess dehydration and inadvertent local damage to the endothelium in the thinnest areas of the cornea.

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inadvertent damage", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of intent. For example, specify the action or event that led to the damage to emphasize its accidental nature.

Common error

Avoid using "inadvertent damage" when the harm or damage was clearly caused by negligence or deliberate action. In such cases, use terms like "negligent damage" or "deliberate destruction" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadvertent damage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "inadvertent" modifies the noun "damage". It describes a situation where damage occurs unintentionally or accidentally. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, often describing harm to property or equipment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inadvertent damage" effectively conveys unintentional harm across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency in both scientific and news sources indicates its widespread applicability. While alternatives like "unintentional harm" and "accidental harm" exist, "inadvertent damage" often adds a slightly more formal tone. Remember to use this phrase when you need to emphasize the lack of intent behind the damage and ensure it's not confused with situations involving negligence or deliberate actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentional harm

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the harm.

accidental harm

Highlights the accidental nature of the harm.

unintended damage

Emphasizes the absence of intent in causing the damage.

unforeseen harm

Stresses that the harm was not predicted or expected.

collateral damage

Suggests damage that occurs alongside a primary action or event.

unintended consequence

Highlights the result of an action rather than direct damage.

negligent damage

Indicates damage resulting from a failure to exercise reasonable care.

incidental harm

Highlights the harm as occurring in connection with something else.

accidental impairment

Refers to accidental damage that leads to impairment or weakening.

unwitting destruction

Emphasizes that the destruction occurred without awareness or knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "inadvertent damage" in a sentence?

You can use "inadvertent damage" to describe unintentional harm. For example: "The construction crew caused "inadvertent damage" to the underground pipes while digging."

What are some alternatives to "inadvertent damage"?

Some alternatives include "unintentional harm", "accidental harm", or "unintended damage", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "inadvertent damage" and "negligent damage"?

"Inadvertent damage" implies a lack of intention or awareness, whereas "negligent damage" suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to the harm.

Is "inadvertent damage" the same as "collateral damage"?

While both terms involve unintended harm, "collateral damage" typically refers to unintended harm to something other than the intended target. "Inadvertent damage" is a broader term encompassing any unintentional damage.