inflict damage upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inflict damage upon" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to cause harm or destruction to something or someone. Example: The storm inflicted severe damage upon the town, leaving many homes destroyed and without power.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

It is the means by which the weak induce the powerful to inflict damage upon themselves — and Al Qaeda and groups like it are surely counting on that as the centerpiece of their strategy.

The New York Times

Players can use MysTech to inflict damage upon enemies, plague them with certain status effects (such as freezing them in place), or heal party members.

Wikipedia

You are using either the heel or the ball of the foot to inflict damage upon your opponents head.

WikiHow

Use extreme caution when goosestepping indoors, around delicate items, pets, or small children, as a swinging foot may inflict damage upon these items.

WikiHow

As you are hiding, you should pick up a rock or tool that could help you inflict damage upon the gunner when he approaches you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The division between state and private education damages our society, stifles opportunity and, by wasting talent, inflicts damage upon our economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The division between state and private education damages our society, stifles opportunity and, by wasting talent, inflicts damage upon our economy," writes Tristram Hunt.

The Guardian

The division between state and private education corrodes our society, stifles opportunity and, by wasting talent, inflicts damage upon our economy.

The Guardian

Those critics will be predictably horrified by "Silent to the Bone," the entire plot of which is focused upon a bathroom and who was or was not in there, inflicting damage upon one or the other of two children, or both.

The New York Times - Books

While the latter view underestimates that degree to which such a move further empowers the existing structural arrangement and inflicts damage upon those who undergo the regulations (82 3), the former fail to see how, in practice, movement away from some medical regulation is not going to be possible without also completely undermining access to the technology (90 1).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts or systems, such as economies or societies, the phrase "inflict damage upon" can effectively convey the negative consequences of specific actions or policies.

Common error

While grammatically correct, the phrase "inflict damage upon" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "harm" or "damage" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflict damage upon" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of causing harm or destruction. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to describe the act of causing harm or destruction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

30%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inflict damage upon" is a grammatically correct way to describe causing harm or destruction, as affirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, its use is more appropriate in formal and neutral contexts, appearing frequently in news, wiki, and scientific domains. Simpler alternatives like "cause damage to" may be preferable in informal settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a clear sense of harm being directly caused, whether physically or abstractly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cause damage to

Replaces "inflict" with "cause" and restructures the sentence, slightly altering the tone.

Do harm to

Substitutes "damage" with "harm", offering a more general term for negative impact.

Cause destruction to

Replaces "damage" with "destruction", highlighting the severity of the impact.

Wreak havoc on

Uses a more vivid term, "havoc", to emphasize the disruptive and destructive nature of the damage.

Cause injury to

Focuses on the harm inflicted, particularly in a physical or emotional context.

Deal a blow to

Employs a more figurative expression, implying a setback or disadvantage caused.

Bring ruin to

Emphasizes the catastrophic consequences of the damage.

Impose a toll on

Indicates the cumulative negative effect of the damage over time.

Visit damage on

Uses "visit" to suggest a deliberate or forceful infliction of damage.

Exact a price from

Suggests that the damage serves as retribution or a form of payment.

FAQs

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

Use "inflict damage upon" to describe the act of causing harm or destruction to someone or something. For example, "The hurricane "inflicted damage upon" the coastal communities".

What are some alternatives to "inflict damage upon"?

Alternatives include "cause damage to", "do harm to", or "wreak havoc on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "inflict damage upon" formal or informal?

"Inflict damage upon" leans towards the formal side. Simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal contexts.

Is it correct to say "inflict damages upon" instead of "inflict damage upon"?

While "damage" is usually an uncountable noun, "damages" (plural) refers to a sum of money claimed or paid in compensation for harm. So, the correct form depends on the intended meaning. To signify causing destruction, the correct form is "inflict damage upon".