items were damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "items were damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where physical goods have been harmed or impaired in some way. Example: "Upon inspection, we found that several items were damaged during shipping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

No items were damaged".

Independent

When Occupy Wall Street was evicted protesters complained that books and other items were damaged by police.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

(Some of the items are damaged or irregular).

The New York Times - Travel

During transportation no items are damaged, i.e., the amount of received items in destination is the same as the one sent from sources.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

(ii) During transportation no items are damaged, i.e., the amount of received items in destination is the same as the one sent from sources.  .

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

When food is limited or brood items are damaged, brood may be eaten by workers [ 29, 31] and thus the nutritional value of these items would be recycled.

BMC Biology

It's also a good idea to get bonded to prove to clients that you are trustworthy and are covered in the event that items are damaged, destroyed, or stolen.

WikiHow

If an item is damaged, contact the vendor immediately.

WikiHow

These should include the sum, interest rate and durations of a loan, as well as what the procedure is in the event an item is damaged or lost.

WikiHow

Mr. Joslin asked the moving company to take away high-value items that were damaged, and, a day later, called in Dumpsters and mobile storage units to hold ruined items (one lesson he learned last year from Hurricane Irene was not to throw anything out until the insurance company had seen it).

The New York Times

The online greeting card and gift firm was bombarded with complaints about items that were damaged, late or failed to arrive.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting damage for insurance claims or legal purposes, be specific about which "items were damaged", the nature of the damage, and the estimated value of each item.

Common error

Avoid using only the phrase "items were damaged" without detailing which specific items suffered damage. Always provide a clear list or description to prevent misunderstandings or disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "items were damaged" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that certain objects (items) have undergone some form of harm or impairment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English to describe damage to physical goods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "items were damaged" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe physical harm to goods or possessions. As Ludwig AI validates, it's suitable for various writing contexts. While it appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific sources, its usage is generally neutral and can extend to both formal and informal communications. For effective use, remember to specify the affected items and damage details, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives like "goods sustained damage" or "products incurred damage" can offer a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goods sustained damage

Replaces "items" with "goods" and "were damaged" with "sustained damage", resulting in a more formal tone.

products incurred damage

Substitutes "items" with "products" and "were damaged" with "incurred damage", indicating damage as a result of a process or event.

merchandise was harmed

Changes "items" to "merchandise" to focus on things being sold or transported, while using "was harmed" instead of "were damaged".

articles suffered damage

Replaces "items" with "articles" for a more generic reference to things and uses "suffered damage" to suggest an adverse impact.

belongings got ruined

Uses "belongings" to refer to personal possessions, with "got ruined" offering a less formal substitute for "were damaged".

property was impaired

Replaces "items" with "property" to describe things that are owned or possessed and uses "was impaired" for a more formal and technical tone.

commodities were affected

Changes "items" to "commodities" to emphasize items of trade and replaces "were damaged" with "were affected", broadening the impact beyond physical harm.

possessions were spoiled

Uses "possessions" to focus on ownership and replaces "were damaged" with "were spoiled", often implying the damage is such that something is no longer useful.

effects were compromised

Changes "items" to "effects" to refer to personal belongings, while "were compromised" suggests the items' integrity or function has been diminished.

assets were depreciated

Substitutes "items" with "assets", focusing on things of value, and uses "were depreciated" to suggest a loss of value due to the damage.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "items were damaged"?

You can use alternatives like "goods sustained damage", "products incurred damage", or "merchandise was harmed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "items were damaged"?

Yes, "items were damaged" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to describe that the items received damage, without specifying who or what caused it.

What is the difference between "items were damaged" and "items are damaged"?

"Items were damaged" indicates that the damage occurred in the past, whereas "items are damaged" suggests that the damage is present at the time of speaking.

What does "items were damaged" mean in the context of shipping?

In shipping, "items were damaged" means that some or all of the goods being shipped have been harmed or impaired during transit. This can lead to insurance claims or requests for refunds.