little damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little damage" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The storm caused little damage to the houses in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The building sustains little damage.

The New Yorker

But little damage was done.

The Economist

There was little damage to the liner.

The New York Times

In New Orleans, there was little damage.

The New York Times

No one was injured, and there was little damage.

The New York Times

Very little damage, it transpired, had been done.

The Guardian

LAST week's snow did little damage in most gardens.

The New York Times - Style

Robinson, meanwhile, had little damage to his car.

The Guardian - Sport

Trent Green, the Chiefs' passer, did little damage.

The New York Times - Sports

Another struck a tank but did little damage.

The New York Times

The hits Halladay does allow do little damage.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events like natural disasters or accidents, use "little damage" to convey reassurance that the consequences were not severe. For instance, "Despite the hurricane, the coastal town sustained "little damage".

Common error

Don't use "little damage" if the impact was substantial. Overusing it can downplay serious situations and mislead readers. Verify your facts before using it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little damage" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "little" modifies the noun "damage". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used in English, conveying that the extent of harm or destruction is minimal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

23%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little damage" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that the harm or destruction caused by an event was minimal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and appears across diverse sources such as news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, especially in News & Media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the extent of the damage to avoid misleading your audience. Alternatives include "minimal harm" or "slight impairment" if a more nuanced description is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal harm

Focuses on the consequence being relatively insignificant.

slight impairment

Emphasizes a minor reduction in functionality or condition.

negligible impact

Highlights that the effect was so small it's practically non-existent.

limited destruction

Specifically refers to the extent of physical ruin being contained.

minor detriment

Suggests only a small disadvantage or loss resulted.

inconsequential effect

Stresses the lack of significant results or consequences.

superficial injury

Implies that the harm was not deep or severe.

trivial impact

Focuses on the unimportance of the effect.

reduced impairment

Highlights the mitigated aspect of the damage or the fact that it has been diminished.

modest impairment

Emphasizes that damage is controlled and reasonable.

FAQs

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

You can use "little damage" to indicate that something has not been significantly harmed. For example, "The fire caused "little damage" to the building".

What can I say instead of "little damage"?

You can use alternatives like "minimal harm", "slight impairment", or "negligible impact" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little damage" instead of "little damage"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a little damage" suggests that some damage occurred, whereas ""little damage"" implies that the extent of the damage was minor or insignificant.

What's the difference between "little damage" and "minor damage"?

"Little damage" emphasizes the limited impact or effect, while "minor damage" specifically describes the degree of harm as small or not serious. Both terms are very similar and often interchangeable.