liable to damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liable to damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is at risk of being harmed or damaged under certain conditions. Example: "The fragile equipment is liable to damage if not handled with care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

His sudden rise in the polls, even if it does not carry him into the presidency, is liable to damage Romania's hopes of being admitted to the Union.

The Economist

"His attack on the prime minister is liable to damage the State of Israel among people wishing it ill in the international arena," added Limor Livnat, minister of culture and sports.

The New York Times

After a brief email consultation with other mothers (not ones I like, just ones I know, otherwise it becomes an invalid exercise, because friends are in part selected because their attitudes jibe with your own), it turns out that the prevailing wisdom is that this sort of treatment is liable to damage a child's self-esteem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He directs attention to the well-known fact that the muscular energy of the body makes little or no call on the nitrogenous constituents of the muscles, and urges that the excretory channels, such as the kidneys, are overworked and so liable to damage when dealing with the large amount of waste nitrogen which it is the habit of the white races to ingest.

Nature

Generally, institutional resilience is liable to damage the chances for change.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

There is no reason to assume that high-density living is necessarily more sustainable or liable to damage the environment than low-density living.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

(2) A state may require a railroad company sued for, and adjudged liable to, damages arising from fire caused by the operation of its road, to pay to the plaintiff, in addition to the damages proved and the ordinary costs, a reasonable attorney's fee, even if it does not allow the corporation, when successful in its defense, to recover a like attorney's fee from the plaintiff.

Cornell University

Also, as with many proposals for cell therapy, the replacement cells are liable to be damaged in time by whatever disease process killed the patient's cells.

The New York Times - Science

With the characteristics such as small pore throats, strong water wetting, and well-developed fractures, the low-permeability and tight sandstone gas reservoir is liable to be damaged during operation, even in the underbalanced condition.

Petroleum Exploration and Development

be more liable to get damaged.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

It seems that intermittently transcribed genes and genes with stalled transcription are more liable to be damaged by R-loops.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "liable to damage", clearly specify the conditions or factors that increase the risk of damage to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "liable to damage" when the damage is certain or has already occurred. Use stronger terms like "damaged" or "destroyed" in those cases to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to damage" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its propensity to be harmed or damaged. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as correct and usable. The examples demonstrate its role in qualifying objects or entities at risk.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "liable to damage" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that denotes a high probability or risk of something being harmed, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. While there are more prevalent phrases, "liable to damage" provides a specific nuance, indicating both a vulnerability and a conditional risk. Alternatives such as "prone to damage" or "susceptible to damage" can offer similar meanings, depending on the precise shade of meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to damage

Emphasizes a natural inclination or tendency towards being damaged.

susceptible to damage

Highlights vulnerability and lack of resistance to damage.

vulnerable to damage

Focuses on the weakness and exposure to potential harm.

at risk of damage

Indicates a state of being in danger or facing the possibility of damage.

subject to damage

Suggests a condition of being under the authority or control of damaging forces.

likely to be damaged

Simply states the high probability of damage occurring.

in danger of damage

Highlights the perilous situation and imminent threat of damage.

exposed to damage

Emphasizes the lack of protection and openness to damaging factors.

tending to damage

Suggests a tendency to incur damage easily, often due to inherent weakness.

predisposed to damage

Indicates a pre-existing condition or characteristic that makes something more likely to be damaged.

FAQs

How can I use "liable to damage" in a sentence?

Use "liable to damage" to describe something with a high probability of being harmed under specific conditions. For example, "The antique vase is liable to damage if not handled carefully."

What is a good alternative to "liable to damage"?

You can use "prone to damage" or "susceptible to damage" as alternatives, depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "likely to damage" instead of "liable to damage"?

While similar, "likely to damage" implies the object is the cause of the damage, whereas "liable to damage" means the object is at risk of being damaged. For example, "The old wiring is likely to damage the electrical system" versus "The delicate instrument is liable to damage if mishandled."

What's the difference between "liable to damage" and "subject to damage"?

"Liable to damage" suggests a high probability of damage occurring under certain conditions, while "subject to damage" indicates that something is under the control or influence of damaging factors. The connotation of "subject to" often implies a lack of agency in preventing the damage.