significantly damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has suffered a considerable amount of harm or destruction. Example: "The storm left the building significantly damaged, requiring extensive repairs before it could be reopened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

No major structures were significantly damaged, they said.

The New York Times

They may only become noticeable when the liver has been significantly damaged.

The Guardian

London dentist Meg Keddie often sees patients who've been significantly damaged.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The museum was not significantly damaged in the bombings and is expected to reopen on Monday.

The New York Times - Arts

According to the conservancy's survey, 33 trees were significantly damaged, 24 of which have already been removed.

The New York Times

If he is still alive, the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's struggling administration will be significantly damaged.

The Guardian

Theranos still disputes the Journal's findings, but the company's public trust and reputation have been significantly damaged.

The Guardian - Film

Boardwalk pier in Ocean City, MD, was "significantly damaged" overnight, police spokesman tells me.

The New York Times

However, if the ventricle has already been significantly damaged, ventricular arrhythmias may persist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other countries in the region were significantly damaged but fared better than Vanuatu.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Swift Boat group's effort, widely criticized as misleading, significantly damaged Mr. Kerry's presidential campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the extent of damage, use "significantly damaged" to convey a substantial impact without resorting to hyperbole. This ensures clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly damaged" when the damage is minor or superficial. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly damaged" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverb-participle construction. It describes the state of something that has experienced a considerable degree of harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significantly damaged" is a versatile and widely used expression to describe a considerable level of harm or impairment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "severely damaged" or "substantially impaired" exist, "significantly damaged" strikes a balance between conveying the extent of the damage without overstatement. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects the degree of harm to maintain clarity and credibility. It's more suitable for neutral situations and is considered neutral in register. Remember to avoid overstating the damage with this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially impaired

Replaces "damaged" with "impaired", focusing on the reduction in function or quality. "Substantially" maintains the emphasis on a considerable degree.

severely harmed

Substitutes "damaged" with "harmed", highlighting the negative impact. "Severely" emphasizes a higher degree of damage.

critically affected

Uses "affected" instead of "damaged", focusing on the impact. "Critically" suggests a potentially irreversible or life-threatening level of damage.

badly injured

Replaces "damaged" with "injured", often used for living things or systems. "Badly" indicates a high level of severity.

seriously compromised

Uses "compromised" to emphasize the weakening or undermining of something's integrity or function. "Seriously" reinforces the significant level of impact.

heavily impacted

Replaces "damaged" with "impacted", emphasizing the force or effect of the damage. "Heavily" suggests a considerable level of impact.

considerably degraded

Uses "degraded" to highlight a decline in quality or condition. "Considerably" maintains the focus on a substantial degree.

majorly devastated

Substitutes "damaged" with "devastated", emphasizing a complete or overwhelming destruction. "Majorly" reinforces the high level of damage.

extensively ruined

Replaces "damaged" with "ruined", highlighting the irreparable nature of the damage. "Extensively" suggests a widespread area of damage.

markedly deteriorated

Uses "deteriorated" to emphasize a gradual decline in condition. "Markedly" maintains the focus on a noticeable degree.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly damaged" in a sentence?

You can use "significantly damaged" to describe a state where something has suffered considerable harm. For example, "The hurricane significantly damaged the coastal town".

What are some alternatives to saying "significantly damaged"?

Alternatives include "severely harmed", "substantially impaired", or "critically affected", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "slightly damaged" instead of "significantly damaged"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they convey different meanings. "Slightly damaged" indicates minor harm, whereas "significantly damaged" suggests substantial harm. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of damage.

What's the difference between "significantly damaged" and "severely damaged"?

"Significantly damaged" implies a notable level of harm, while "severely damaged" suggests a much greater extent of damage, often approaching total destruction.