inflict damage

USAGE SUMMARY

"inflict damage" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when discussing the intentional harm caused by somebody or something, particularly physical harm. Example sentence: The vandal had the intent to inflict damage on the library's books.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Ashley Cole case could yet inflict damage.

The Guardian - Sport

Nano-Technicians, meanwhile, inflict damage by unleashing destructive nanotechnology programs.

The New York Times - Tech

In the fourth, Toronto began to inflict damage.

The New York Times - Sports

We can inflict damage on the Russian economy.

The Guardian

Notably, they inflict damage on many economically important crops.

Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology

In Mosul, suicide attacks still regularly inflict damage.

The New York Times

Why? Smokers tend to inflict damage mostly on themselves.

The New York Times

They really want to inflict damage on Iran, but they are dreaming.

Yale University

That in turn would inflict damage upon the rest of the country.

The Guardian

Detailed tornado-structure interaction studies are required to understand the basic flow mechanisms that inflict damage.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

But hackers may also discern vulnerabilities in computer systems and inflict damage.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inflict damage" when emphasizing the act of causing harm, whether physical or metaphorical, by a specific agent or action. For example, "The storm inflicted damage on the coastline."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "inflict damage" (to cause damage) with "suffer damage" (to receive damage). Ensure the subject of your sentence is the one causing the damage, not the one receiving it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflict damage" functions as a verb phrase. It typically includes a transitive verb ("inflict") followed by a noun ("damage") acting as the direct object. The examples from Ludwig show it being used to describe the action of causing harm or destruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inflict damage" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of causing harm or destruction. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. The phrase is generally neutral to formal in register, and is useful for emphasizing the agent responsible for causing the damage. It's important to distinguish between "inflict damage" (to cause damage) and "suffer damage" (to receive damage) to ensure correct usage. While there are many semantically related alternatives, such as ""cause harm"" and "do damage", the best choice will depend on the specific nuance and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause harm

This alternative is more general, encompassing both physical and emotional harm.

do damage

This alternative is slightly less formal and focuses on the act of damaging.

wreak havoc

This alternative suggests widespread disruption and chaos.

exact a toll

This alternative implies a cumulative negative effect over time.

cause destruction

This alternative specifically refers to the act of destroying something.

leave a mark

This alternative indicates a lasting, often negative, impact.

impose a burden

This alternative suggests causing hardship or difficulty for someone.

bring about ruin

This alternative emphasizes complete and utter destruction.

trigger a downfall

This alternative highlights the beginning of a decline or failure.

leave scars

This alternative refers to long-term impact, either physical or emotional.

FAQs

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

Use "inflict damage" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is causing harm or damage. For example, "The new policy is expected to "cause harm" to small businesses", or "The earthquake inflicted significant damage on the city's infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "inflict damage"?

You can use alternatives such as ""cause harm"", "do damage", or "wreak havoc depending on the context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is it better to use "cause damage" or "inflict damage"?

"Cause damage" is a more general term. "Inflict damage" implies a more direct action and often a deliberate intention to cause harm. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "inflict damage" and "sustain damage"?

"Inflict damage" means to cause damage to something, while "sustain damage" means to receive damage. For example, "The attacker inflicted damage" versus "The building sustained damage".